February 2013

Anticompetitive practices

 The Finnish Market Court imposes fines for price fixing and bid rigging (Asunto-Väylä / CSC Consulting / Hansatalot / Kiinteistö / Rovakartano / Sata-Väylä)
University of Helsinki
Finland 12 contributions 3035 visits
The Finnish Market Court has imposed minor fines for bid rigging and price fixing. The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority, which investigates competition restrictions and makes proposals for fines to the Finnish Market Court, had proposed that the Market Court should impose a 15 000 (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules on compulsory training obligations by professional bodies (Order of Chartered Accounts)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 367 contributions 79299 visits
On 28 February 2013, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) handed down a judgment on a reference for a preliminary ruling from the Portuguese Court of Appeal on the application of Article 101 TFEU to professional associations. The ECJ found that a professional association is (...)

The Belgian Competition Authority imposes fines on five large flour mills (Werhahn / Meneba / Ceres / Dossche / Brabomills)
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 713 contributions 202423 visits
Belgium: The Competition Council imposes Fines on five large Flour Mills* On 28 February 2013, the Competition Council (the Council) sanctioned five flour mills (Werhahn, Meneba, Ceres, Dossche and Brabomills) for having taken part into a cartel on the market for the production and sale of (...)

The German Competition Authority confirms its searches at the premises of three companies in the steel industry
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 328 contributions 68663 visits
Bundeskartellamt confirms searches at three companies in the steel industry* The Bundeskartellamt confirms that on 28 February 2013 it carried out searches at three companies in the steel industry. The authority followed up the suspicion that companies on the market for the sale of steel strip (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority fines ten companies and sector association for cartel in flexible polyurethane foam (Foam cartel)
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 713 contributions 202423 visits
Spain: The Comisión Nacional de la Competencia fines ten Companies and Sector Association for Cartel in Flexible Polyurethane Foam* In its Resolution of 28 February 2013, the Comisión Nacional de la Competencia (CNC) Council found that several companies active in the sector of the flexible (...)

The EU Court of Justice upholds that a regulation introducing a system of compulsory training for chartered accountants may fall within the scope of the interdiction in Article 101(1) TFEU (OTOC)
Blackstone Chambers (London)
Royaume-Uni 2 contributions 213 visites
Anticompetitive behaviour by professional regulators – Wouters naturalised* The ECJ’s judgment in Case C-309/99 Wouters – that the Dutch legal regulator was an association of undertakings for the purposes of competition law, but that its prohibition on partnerships between lawyers and accountants (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice confirms compliance of the key provision on fining of cartel law violations with the constitution (Grauzementkartell)
Commeo (Frankfurt)
Allemagne 10 contributions 2435 visites
In its decision of 26 February 2013, which was published on 10 April 2013, the German Federal Court of Justice (“FCJ”) inter alia had to decide on the constitutionality of the key provi-sion on the fining of cartel law violations. The FCJ not only confirmed the constitutionality of this fining (...)

The French Competition Authority concludes to an absence of infringement of competition rules following a complaint by several actors of the ophthalmic sector (Kalivia)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 616 contributions 250722 visits
Press Release published on the official website of the French Competition Authority. Kalivia was not in breach of competition rules when it set up its network of authorised opticians*. The Autorité de la Concurrence was informed by a professional body of opticians (the SynOpE) and two (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice rules that the German 10% limit for calculating fines is not a cap but rather constitutes a ceiling of a framework within which a fine has to be calculated (Grauzementkartell)
Noerr (Brussels)
Belgium 5 contributions 1615 visits
In its judgment of 26 February 2013, the German Federal Court of Justice ("FCJ") upheld the decision of the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf and confirmed that Sect. 81(4) Sentence 2 Act Against Restraints of Competition ("ARC") is in conformity with the German constitution. This provision (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice hands down a decision that is likely to have a significant impact on the setting of cartel fines and potentially reducing the maximum cartel fine for some defendants (Grauzementkartell)
Jones Day (Frankfurt)
Germany 6 contributions 3955 visits
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Jones Day (Dusseldorf)
Germany 15 contributions 4676 visits
,
Jones Day (Frankfurt)
Germany 11 contributions 3670 visits
The German Federal Court of Justice ("BGH") has handed down a decision that is likely to have a significant impact on the setting of cartel fines in Germany, potentially reducing the maximum cartel fine for some defendants. The decision deals with fines imposed on a number of German cement (...)

The Austrian Cartel Court imposes additional fines in resale price maintenance case (Building insulation case)
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 713 contributions 202423 visits
Austria: Additional Fines imposed by Cartel Court in Building Insulation Case* Following several inspections conducted in 2012 and the applications for fines by the Federal Competition Authority (FCA), the Cartel Court imposed on 25 February 2013 fines on a producer and a merchant for (...)

The Indian Competition Appellate Tribunal upholds Competition Authority’s finding that three medical equipment/systems suppliers had engaged in bid-rigging (Safdarjung Hospital)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 52 contributions 12566 visits
SUMMARY In the Safdarjung Hospital Case, the Competition Commission of India found that three medical equipment/systems suppliers had engaged in bid-rigging contrary to Section 3 of the Competition Act, 2002, and imposed a penalty on each of 5% of its average annual turnover over two/three (...)

The Chinese Competition Authorities impose hefty fines on two State-owned liquor distillers for resale price maintenance (Kweichow Maotai / Yibin Wuliangye)
University of International Business & Economics (Beijing)
Chine 2 contributions 536 visites
On February 22, 2013, two Chinese provincial competition authorities served their respective enforcement orders upon two Chinese state-owned liquor distillers with formidable amounts of fines: one for Kuichow Maotai in the amount of RMB 247 million (USD 40 mil.) and the other for Wuliangye, RMB (...)

The Korean FTC finds that the territorial restraints clauses contained in the distribution agreements of a liquor manufacturer are illegal since they suppress intra-brand competition among the wholesale distributors (Kook Soon Dang)
Trinity Legal (Seoul)
3 contributions 650 visites
I. Introduction Vertical restraints are largely scrutinized under a less strict standard of review as compared to horizontal restraints – especially in relation to naked price-fixing or market division. Since the US Supreme Court held in the watershed decision of 1977, Continental TV v. GTE (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority announces some of the most common anti-competitive practices in the bread industry based on its experience and informs bread manufacturers about the competition rules that are to be complied with in the relevant market
University of Sussex (Brighton)
United Kingdom 31 contributions 10892 visits
This study analyses the announcement of the Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) in which it has informed bread manufacturers about the competition rules that are to be complied with in the industry and made it clear that some practices that are common among bread manufacturers across Turkey, (...)

The UK OFT fines car manufacturer and three dealers £ 2.6 M over anti-competitive behaviour (Mercedes-Benz)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 367 contributions 79299 visits
On 21 February 2013, the UK Office of Fair Trading (“OFT”) announced that it had imposed a fine of £ 2.6 million on Mercedes-Benz and three of its commercial vehicle dealers – Ciceley, Enza and Road Range – for having engaged in anti-competitive practices involving market-sharing, price (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority files application for procurement fines against an allegedly illegal direct award of contract in connection with a staff party (Sveriges Radio)
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Sweden 55 contributions 6937 visits
Sveriges Radio taken to court over procurement fines* Sveriges Radio carried out an illegal direct award of contract in connection with a staff party. The Swedish Competition Authority therefore requires Sveriges Radio to pay procurement fines of SEK 200,000. Sveriges Radio (public service (...)

The Indian Competition Authority issues a ’cease and desist’ order to 29 manufacturers of elastic rail clips engaged in bid-rigging in a tender in the railway sector (Elastic rail clips case)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 52 contributions 12566 visits
SUMMARY In tendering for the supply of anti-theft elastic rail-clips to the South Eastern Railways, 29 manufacturers were found to have quoted the same rates, allocated the tender quantity amongst themselves, artificially raised prices and acted in concert to eliminate competitors. The CCI (...)

The EU Commission proposes a draft for a revised regulation on the application of art. 101(3) TFEU on agreements for technology transfer
University of East Anglia (Norwich)
Royaume-Uni 7 contributions 9348 visites
Competition Law as a complement to Intellectual Property Law?* The European Commission is currently consulting on proposed revisions to the Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation (TTBER) and associated Guidelines. These documents provide legal rules and guidelines in relation to (...)

The EU Commission publishes for consultation its proposal for revisions to the EU technology transfer competition regime
Covington & Burling (Brussels)
Belgium 22 contributions 15342 visits
On 20 February 2013, the European Commission published for consultation its proposal for revisions to the EU technology transfer competition regime. The consultation period runs until 17 May 2013. The new regime will be adopted before April 2014. The EU’s approach to the application of (...)

The German Competition Authority launches a web survey targeting 2,400 sellers who offer their products on major internet platform (Amazon Marketplace)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 328 contributions 68663 visits
Bundeskartellamt surveys Amazon Marketplace sellers* Today the Bundeskartellamt launched a web survey of 2,400 sellers who offer their products through Amazon Marketplace. Within the framework of administrative proceedings under competition law the Bundeskartellamt is examining the effects of (...)

The German Competition Authority concludes proceedings against flour mills and imposes fines totaling more than 65 million euros (Verband Deutscher Mühlen)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 328 contributions 68663 visits
Bundeskartellamt concludes proceedings against flour mills and imposes fines totaling more than 65 million euros* The Bundeskartellamt has concluded its cartel proceedings against companies in the milling industry and imposed fines of approx. 41 million euros on 22 companies, the association (...)

The EU Commission decides not to prolong maritime transport antitrust guidelines
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 367 contributions 79299 visits
On 19 February 2013, the European Commission announced that it has decided not to prolong its guidelines on the application of Article 101 TFEU to maritime transport services (the “Maritime Guidelines”) when they expire on 26 September 2013. The Guidelines, adopted on 1 July 2008, cover (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority renders legally binding the commitments offered by a professional association in the market for expert reporting in occupational hazards (UICM)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 7 contributions 1832 visits
On 19 February 2013 the Spanish Competition Commission (“CNC”) adopted a resolution rendering legally binding the commitments offered by the Inter-Professional Union of the Community of Madrid (“UICM”) in order to alleviate the anti-competitive allegations raised against it. The CNC initiated its (...)

The German Competition Authority fines flour mills more than € 65 M for long-running cartel (Verband Deutscher Mühlen)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 367 contributions 79299 visits
On 19 February 2013, the FCO imposed fines of approximately € 41 million on 22 flour milling companies, an industry association, and their representatives. These fines were imposed in addition to an approximately € 24 million fine already levied in October 2011. According to the FCO, the (...)

The Canadian Superior Court of Quebec convicts three individuals for conspiring to fix gas prices in two Quebec cities (R / Gosselin)
Cassels Brock (Toronto)
Canada 23 contributions 4376 visits
Gas price fixers convicted after trial* A Quebec Superior Court judge recently convicted three individuals of conspiring to fix gas prices in two Quebec cities, Sherbrooke and Magog. To date 33 individuals and seven companies have been convicted fixing gas prices in Quebec and eastern (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority fines three companies for cartel in paper products sector (Enri 2000, Pacsa, Papelera del Carrión and Unipapel Transformación y Distribución)
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 713 contributions 202423 visits
Spain: The Comisión Nacional de la Competencia fines three Companies for Cartel in Paper Products Sector* In its Resolution of 15 February 2013, the Comisión Nacional de la Competencia (CNC) Council found that Enri 2000, S.A., Pacsa, Papelera del Carrión S.L. and Unipapel Transformación y (...)

The US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit widens pool of plaintiffs able to pursue conspiracy claims under the California Cartwright Act (AT&T Mobility / AU Optronics)
Wolters Kluwer (Riverwoods)
United States 78 contributions 36974 visits
Ninth Circuit Widens Pool of Plaintiffs Able to Pursue Conspiracy Claims Under California Cartwright Act* The Ninth Circuit on Thursday ruled that a plaintiff need not make a purchase in California to recover overcharges for price-fixed goods under the California Cartwright Act. AT&T (...)

The French Competition Authority fines eight pig slaughterers and two professional bodies for several anti-competitive agreements (Pig Slaughterers)
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 713 contributions 202423 visits
France: The Autorité de la concurrence fines eight Pig Slaughterers and two Professional Bodies for several anti-competitive Agreements* On 13 February 2013, following a complaint from four pig farmers and the opening of ex officio proceedings which allowed the Autorité de la concurrence (the (...)

The Brussels Court of Appeal annuls decision to impose a fine on the Flemish bakers’ association (VEBIC)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 100 contributions 23450 visits
In a judgment of 13 February 2013, the Brussels Court of Appeal annulled the decision of the Competition Council to impose a fine of EUR 29,121 on VEBIC, the Flemish Bakers’ Association, for having fixed prices for bread. Following the liberalisation of bread prices on 1 July 2004, VEBIC (...)

The Brussels Court of Appeal annuls the decision imposing a 29000€ fine on professional bakers’ association (VEBIC)
Liège University (Liège)
France 39 contributions 156524 visits
I. Facts Vebic is the Flemish association of bakers. Vebic published a magazine entitled “Passie” (among other things). Until 2004, the price of breads in Belgium was set by Law. As the price regulation mechanism was abandoned, VEBIC began to publish a so-called “bread price index”, in Passie, (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority reduces the fines imposed to flour producers based on the ’inability to pay’ (Grain Millers / Ranks)
NautaDutilh (Brussels)
Belgique 5 contributions 3813 visites
I. Facts On 16 December 2010, the Dutch Competition Authority (the former Nederlandse Mededingingsautoriteit, as of April 2013, Autoriteit Consument & Markt, hereinafter the ’ACM’) imposed a fine of a total of € 81,600,000 on fifteen flour producers. According to the ACM, they had infringed (...)

The German Competition Authority coordinates with the Dutch Competition Authority on their fining against a German mill involved in a cartel in the flour industry (Mühlen)
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 713 contributions 202423 visits
The Netherlands and Germany: Joint Solution to cross-border Inability to Pay Claim in Flour Cartel Cases* At the end of January 2013, the Bundeskartellamt (BKartA) and the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) coordinated their fining with regard to a German flour mill (the undertaking). (...)

The Italian Supreme Court holds that the violation of an anticompetitive agreement did not constitute unfair competition (Ordine dei Farmacisti della Provincia di Caserta)
ENI (Rome)
Italie 4 contributions 1105 visites
On 8 February 2013, the Italian Supreme Court (the “Court”) quashed a decision by the [Commissione centrale per gli esercenti le professioni sanitarie] (the national commission for healthcare operators; the “National Commission”), which, in turn, had upheld a ruling by the [Ordine dei Farmacisti (...)

The EU Court of Justice AG Jääskinen postulates that the EU principle of effectiveness precludes a provision of national law which makes the grant of access to documents by a national court subject to the consent of the antitrust infringers (Donau Chemie)
Matrix Chambers (London)
Royaume-Uni 6 contributions 2697 visites
Pfleiderer revisited: the AG Opinion in Donau Chemie* On 7 February, AG Jääskinen issued his Opinion in Case C-536/11 Donau Chemie, a much anticipated case (at least among competition lawyers) concerning the compatibility with EU law of an Austrian law which prohibits third party access to the (...)

The EU Court of Justice hands down preliminary ruling on post-term non-compete obligation in franchise agreement (La Retoucherie)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 149 contributions 44936 visits
On 7 February 2013, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) handed down its ruling in response to a preliminary reference from a Spanish court that had questioned the meaning of the phrase “premises and land from which the buyer has operated during the contract period” in Article (...)

The EU Court of Justice sides in favour of the Slovakian Competition Authority and rules that an agreement intended to exclude a competitor is contrary to the competition rules even if the competitor is operating unlawfully on the market (Akcenta)
Dagital Legal (Bratislava)
4 contributions 918 visits
Factual background On 9 June 2009, the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (the "AMO"), a first-level authority, found that three major banks – Slovenská sporiteľna, a.s. (the "SLSP"), Československá obchodná banka a.s. (the "CSOB") and Všeobecná úverová banka a.s. (the "VUB")(jointly refered (...)

The Hellenic Competition Commission fines a professional association for infringing Art 1 Act 703/1977 by fixing the prices for constructing buildings and restricting their sale (E.K.K.E.)
Mikroulea, Staikouras & Associates (Athens)
Greece 12 contributions 6221 visits
Introduction On 7 February 2013, the Hellenic Competition Commission (Elliniki Epitropi Antagonismou, hereafter: HCC) issued an infringement decision against the Building Constructors’ Association of Greece (Enosi Kataskeuaston Ktirion Ellados, hereafter: E.K.K.E.) for violation of Art 1 Act (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules on the interpretation of Article 101 TFEU and finds that undertakings cannot justify restriction of competition relying on the claim that a competitor operates illegally on the relevant market (Akcenta)
ClientEarth (Bruxelles)
Belgique 7 contributions 907 visites
Vigilantes on the market: Can undertakings restrict competition to ‘help out’ public authorities?* In an interesting case decided today the CJEU held that a number of Slovak banks could not exclude a competitor even if that competitor was allegedly operating illegally on the Slovak market. It’s (...)

The Midden-Nederland Court rejects claims that a car manufacturer infringed competition law by entering into agreements or concerted practices with members of its network in order to refuse access to its network and by abusing its dominant position on various markets by refusing to accept the claimants as approved repairers (KIA Motors Nederland)
VVGB (Brussels)
Belgique 5 contributions 748 visites
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Baker McKenzie (Brussels)
Belgium 5 contributions 1526 visits
NL30 KIA Motors Nederland LJN: BZ1050 06.02.13 Lower Court, access to selective distribution system The Dutch Court of ‘Midden-Nederland’ rejects claims that KIA Motors Nederland B.V. infringed competition law by entering into agreements or concerted practices with members of its network in (...)

The Italian Competition Authority launches an investigation against a cartel allegedly carried out by two pharmaceutical companies (Roche, Novartis)
Giannino SI (Monserrato)
Italy 142 contributions 121191 visits
The Italian Competition Authority launches an investigation against a cartel allegedly carried out by Roche and Novartis in the pharmaceutical market (Roche Novartis) The facts of the case The Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has opened an Article 101 TFEU proceedings against Roche and (...)

The Italian Competition Authority launches an investigation against pharmaceutical companies suspected of restricting drug sales (Roche / Novartis)
Studio Legale Scoccini (Rome)
Italy 14 contributions 6134 visits
On February 6, 2013, the Italian Competition Authority ("ICA") launched a cartel investigation against Hoffmann-La Roche ("Roche"), Novartis, their respective Italian subsidiaries, and Genentec, a US company controlled by Roche and in which Novartis holds a 33% shareholding. The companies (...)

The Italian Competition Authority opens investigation against pharmaceutical companies over suspected cartel activity in the ophthalmologic medicines market (Roche / Novartis)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 100 contributions 23450 visits
On 14 February 2013, the Italian Competition Authority (the “Authority”) announced that it had opened an investigation against Genentech Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Novartis AG, Novartis Farma S.p.A. and Roche S.p.A., over suspicions that these may have been operating an illegal cartel in (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority requires payment of procurement fines for signing an agreement as regards rental of printers, scanners and copying machines without public procurement (Karolinska institutet)
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Sweden 55 contributions 6937 visits
Rental of office equipment must be procured* The Swedish Competition Authority requests that Karolinska Institutet pays SEK 200,000 in fines/procurement damages for having signed an agreement pertaining to rental of printers, scanners and copying machines without public procurement. (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority requires payment of procurement fines from national TV-broadcasting company (SVT)
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Sweden 55 contributions 6937 visits
SVT is required to pay fine for illegal direct award of contract* When SVT (the Swedish public service broadcaster) had a staff party, the company directly approached two suppliers instead of conducting a public procurement. The Swedish Competition Authority have now requested that SVT pay (...)

The Italian Competition Authority opens proceedings against pharmaceutical companies in relation to an alleged anticompetitive agreement for restricting drug sales (Roche / Novartis)
Ashurst (Milan)
Italy 100 contributions 23564 visits
Roche and Novartis investigated for an alleged cartel in Italy* On 6 February 2013 the Italian Competition Authority opened proceedings against the Roche Group and the Novartis Group in relation to an alleged anticompetitive agreement for excluding the ophthalmic use of Roche’s Avastin in order (...)

Unilateral Practices

 The OECD holds a roundtable on vertical restraints for online sales
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 291 contributions 845291 visits
Executive summary, by the Secretariat In light of the written submissions and the oral discussion, the following points emerge: (1) The developments of e-commerce have impacted the way competition works and the type of competition concerns that may arise. The literature on e-commerce has (...)

The French Competition Authority rejects complaint based on allegations of abuse of dominance on the market for online advertising (E-Kanopi)
Ashurst (Milan)
Italy 100 contributions 23564 visits
French Competition Authority dismisses E-Kanopi’s complaint against Google* On 4 March 2013 the French competition authority dismissed (only available in French) a complaint by E-Kanopi alleging that Google abused of its dominant position by seeking to force it out of the market in breach of (...)

The French Competition Authority sanctions a professional body and an association for exclusionary practices implemented in the sector of electronic transfer of tax and accounting data (French Association of Chartered Accountants)
Baker Botts (Brussels)
Belgium 16 contributions 4099 visits
Following a complaint submitted in December 2010, the French Competition Authority (hereinafter the ’FCA’) adopted on 28 February 2013 a decision (hereinafter the ’Decision’) whereby it fined two bodies a total of €1,247,220 for an abuse of a dominant position in the sector of online transmission of (...)

The US District Court for the District of Columbia dismisses claims of “shared monopoly” against two companies in the market for rail freight transportation services (Union Pacific / BNSF)
Cornell University
United States 5 contributions 1190 visits
On February 26, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia granted defendants’ motion to dismiss Section 1 and Section 2 claims against Union Pacific Railroad Company ("UP") and BNSF Railway Company ("BNSF"). (Oxbow Carbon & Minerals LLC, et. al., v. Union Pacific Railroad (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority puts an end to infringement proceedings against hardware and software company suspected of refusal to supply (Oracle)
Hogan Lovells (Madrid)
Espagne 23 contributions 2039 visites
The Spanish Competition Authority (Comisión Nacional de la Competencia, the CNC) put an end to the infringement proceedings S/354/11 Oracle (the Decision). These infringement proceedings were formally opened pursuant to a complaint by a competitor which considered that Oracle had committed an (...)

The Danish Supreme Court reverses NCA’s decision and finds that the national postal carrier incumbent did not abuse its dominant position by applying different prices to its customers and certain customers of a competitor (Post Danmark)
DLA Piper (Copenhagen)
Denmark 41 contributions 73071 visits
On 15 February 2013, the Danish Supreme Court reversed a decision by the Danish Competition Council according to which the national postal operator, Post Danmark, had abused a dominant position on the market for unaddressed mail by charging different prices to its own customers compared to the (...)

The Indian Competition Authority finds no anti-competitive effect of exclusive distribution agreement that conferred monopoly in the aftermarket for medical equipment warranty services (Dr. Anoop Bhagat / Spectra Medical System India and Solta Medicals)
Observer Research Foundation (New Delhi)
Inde 4 contributions 2131 visites
Background The Competition Commission of India in a recent matter found that allegations regarding Exclusive Distribution Agreement and Abuse of Dominant Position were not true and thus rejected the matter out rightly finding not even a prima facie case. However, the merit of the complaint did (...)

The Danish Supreme Court ends a decade-long case concerning the national postal incumbent by delivering the final judgment in the predatory price case (Post Danmark)
Kromann Reumert (Copenhagen)
Denmark 15 contributions 17380 visits
On 15 February 2013, the Danish Supreme Court ended the decade-long Post Danmark case by delivering the final judgment in the case. This note gives a brief overview of the facts and the procedure of the case and then comments on what we can learn from the Supreme Court judgment in its (...)

The French Competition Authority refuses to issue interim measures regarding alleged practices in the photovoltaic electricity sector (SUN’R / EDF)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 616 contributions 250722 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence will not issue interim measures against EDF but will pursue its investigation on the basis of the complaint lodged by SUN’R*. The Autorité de la concurrence, following a complaint from power station operator SUN’R about certain practices implemented by the EDF group (...)

The Italian Court of Milan orders the incumbent telecoms operator to pay €1.8m damages to a licensed operator in a follow on action for abuse of a dominant position (Telecom Italia / OKcom)
Pavia e Ansaldo (Roma)
Italy 12 contributions 1432 visits
In a further follow on action of note, the Court of Milan published a judgment on 13 February 2013, ordering Telecom Italia to pay damages of some €1.8m to OKcom. OKcom had sought compensation for harm it claimed to have suffered through Telecom Italia, the incumbent telecoms operator, abusing (...)

The Italian Supreme Administrative Court upholds the NCA’s decision fining leader in construction markets for abuse of a dominant position on the market for plasterboard (Saint Gobain)
Covington & Burling (Brussels)
Belgium 7 contributions 1517 visits
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United Kingdom Competition Authority (London)
Royaume-Uni 2 contributions 533 visites
With its judgment of 12 February 2013, the Italian Supreme Administrative Court (Consiglio di Stato) upheld the judgment of the Italian Administrative Court of First Instance (TAR Lazio) confirming the 2010 decision of the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) fining Saint Gobain Ppc Italia (...)

The UK High Court dismisses interim injunction in abuse of dominance case concerning refusal to supply in HIV prescription medicines market (Chemistree Homecare / Abbvie)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 189 contributions 57178 visits
On 11 February 2013, the English High Court dismissed an application for an interim injunction in an abuse of dominance case concerning an alleged refusal to supply a patented HIV prescription medicine. Chemistree Homecare Ltd (the “claimant”) had applied for an interim injunction against (...)

The Indian Competition Authority fines the board for control of cricket approximately USD 10 M for abuse of dominant position (BCCI)
University College London
United Kingdom 2 contributions 1150 visits
The Competition Commission of India, in response to a complaint filed by Mr. Surinder Singh Barni, against the Board for Control of Cricket in India(BCCI) for abuse of dominant position with respect to professional league cricket tournament, has issued a cease and desist order against BCCI (...)

The Australian Competition Tribunal ‘undeclares’ third party access for rail lines company applying ‘private profitability’ test to 44H(4)(b) (The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty)
Deakin University (Geelong)
Australia 7 contributions 2384 visits
On 8 February 2013 the Australian Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) handed down its decision in Applications by Robe River Mining Co Pty Ltd and Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd. This brought to an end a long running legal dispute over third party access to Rio Tinto’s rail lines in the Pilbara region of (...)

The Indian Competition Authority finds abuse of dominance by the cricket regulator (Board of Control for Cricket in India)
Sonam Mathur (New Delhi)
9 contributions 6881 visits
The Competition Commission of India (“CCI”) recently imposed a fine of INR 54.24 crore (approx. USD 10 million) on the Board for Control of Cricket in India (“BCCI”). The CCI found the BCCI to be in a dominant position in the market for organizing private professional league cricket in India and (...)

The Belgian Competition Authority finds that energy company abused its dominant position on the market for the generation, wholesale, and trading of electricity (Electrabel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 189 contributions 57178 visits
On 7 February 2013, the Belgian College of Competition Prosecutors filed a reasoned report with the Competition Council, finding that the energy company Electrabel abused its dominant position primarily by withholding capacity and thus artificially drove up prices on the market for the (...)

The Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court rules on FRAND rates to be paid for patents in the telecoms sector (InterDigital)
Simmons & Simmons (London)
United Kingdom 19 contributions 3778 visits
On 04 February 2013, the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court issued what are believed to be its first rulings on fair, reasonable and non discriminatory (FRAND) licensing under the Chinese Anti Monopoly Law. The rulings are significant as they shows the Chinese Courts’ willingness to apply (...)

The Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court decides that a telecom company abused its patent rights by requiring to pay excessive royalties for essential patents for mobile telephone technology (Huawei / America IDC)
Renmin University of China
Chine 4 contributions 1492 visites
I. The background of Huawei vs. America IDC anti-monopoly case for abuse of essential patents in standard In this case, the plaintiff, Huawei Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to “Huawei”) mainly provides products and services to the communication operators, professional network owners, (...)

Mergers

 The UK Competition Authority may require an airline sell its minority shareholding to its rival company (Ryanair / Aer Lingus)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 226 contributions 62575 visits
On 28 February 2013 (one day after the European Commission blocked Ryanair’s third attempt to acquire Aer Lingus), the UK Competition Commission (“CC”) announced that it will reopen a long-running inquiry into Ryanair’s acquisition of a minority stake in Aer Lingus. This investigation has (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority approves an acquisition subject to remedies regarding crossed-minority stakes in competitors (CaixaBank / Banco de Valencia)
Cuatrecasas (Madrid)
Spain 2 contributions 1718 visits
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Cuatrecasas (Madrid)
Espagne 1 contribution 140 visites
On December 14, 2012, CaixaBank S.A. (“CaixaBank”) notified the National Competition Commission (“CNC”) of the acquisition of sole control of Banco de Valencia, S.A. (“Banco de Valencia”). The transaction involved two credit entities active mainly in the retail bank market in Spain. On February 28, (...)

The EU Commission prohibits a low-cost airline’s third attempt to acquire its competitor (Ryanair / Aer Lingus)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 226 contributions 62575 visits
On 27 February 2013, the European Commission prohibited Irish low-cost airline Ryanair’s proposed acquisition of former Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus. Extensive remedy proposals proved insufficient to sway the Commission, which considered the two firms to be each other’s closest – and on (...)

The German Competition Authority clears acquisition of a publishing business of the daily newspaper from an insolvent publishing house (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung / Frankfurter Rundschau)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 328 contributions 68663 visits
Bundeskartellamt clears acquisition of Frankfurter Rundschau by FAZ* Today the Bundeskartellamt has cleared plans by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH or rather Frankfurter Societät GmbH, to acquire the publishing business of the daily newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau from the insolvent Druck- (...)

The German Regional Court of Cologne rejects a damages claim made by a hearing aid manufacturer against the Competition Authority’s merger prohibition decision (GN Store Nord)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 226 contributions 62575 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 15 contributions 3825 visits
In a judgment of 26 February 2013, the German Regional Court of Cologne rejected an action for damages in the amount of more than € 1.1 billion by Danish hearing-aid manufacturer GN Store Nord A/S against the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO). GN Store sought compensation from the FCO for (...)

The Finnish Competition Authority argues in Court against a merger between two suppliers of plastic infrastructure pipe systems (Uponor / KWH-Yhtymä)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 226 contributions 62575 visits
On 25 February 2013, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (“FCCA”) made a proposal to the Market Court to prohibit a planned concentration between Uponor Oyj and KWH-Yhtymä Oyj, the two largest suppliers of plastic infrastructure pipe systems in Finland. This is only the third such (...)

The German Competition Authority prohibits merger between cable network operators (Tele Columbus / Kabel Deutschland)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 226 contributions 62575 visits
On 22 February 2013, the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) prohibited the proposed acquisition of Germany’s third-largest cable network operator, Tele Columbus GmbH (“Tele Columbus”), by the country’s biggest cable network operator, Kabel Deutschland Holding AG (“Kabel Deutschland”). (...)

The German Competition Authority prohibits a merger between two major TV-cable network operators (Tele Columbus / Kabel Deutschland)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 328 contributions 68663 visits
Bundeskartellamt prohibits takeover of Tele Columbus by Kabel Deutschland* The Bundeskartellamt has prohibited plans by Kabel Deutschland Holding AG (KDG) to acquire the cable network operator Tele Columbus GmbH. Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: ""After intensive (...)

The US Supreme Court confirms the narrow scope of "State Action" doctrine (FTC / Phoebe Putney)
Jones Day (Washington DC)
United States 11 contributions 6005 visits
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Jones Day (Washington DC)
United States 6 contributions 2838 visits
In FTC v. Phoebe Putney, the Supreme Court has unanimously reversed the Eleventh Circuit holding that a Georgia hospital authority’s acquisition of a hospital was covered by state-action immunity, emphasizing that "state-action immunity is disfavoured". The Supreme Court held that, as the State (...)

The EU Commission unconditionally clears the acquisition by Japanese imaging equipment company of Belgian software provider (Canon / I.R.I.S.)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 226 contributions 62575 visits
On 18 February 2013, the European Commission unconditionally cleared the acquisition by Japanese imaging equipment company Canon of Belgian software provider I.R.I.S.. The transaction did not meet the EU notification thresholds, but was referred to the European Commission by the (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority fines two undertakings that failed to notify their merger (Excel-Serve Management / IFG)
Chrysses Demetriades (Limassol)
10 contributions 2856 visites
CYM7 Excel-Serve Management Ltd/IFG Group Plc Case No. 8.13.012.32 15.02.13 NCA Background The Decision of the Cyprus Commission for the Protection of Competition (“CPC”), relates to the acquisition of 100% of the shareholding of Excel-Serve Management Limited (“Excel-Serve”) by IFG Group Plc (...)

The Competition Authority of the Republic of Serbia approves subject to conditions a merger between the two largest sugar producers in the country (Sunoko / Hellenic Sugar Industry)
Fresenius Medical Care
8 contributions 1728 visits
On 13 February 2013, the Commission for the Protection of Competition of the Republic of Serbia (the "Competition Authority") approved, under conditions related to the fulfilment of certain structural and behavioural measures, a merger between Sunoko d.o.o. Novi Sad, a company with its (...)

The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition fines supermarket chain company for not implementing the remedies agreed in a merger case (REWE / Plus Discount)
Vilímková Dudák (Prague)
Czech Republic 6 contributions 1646 visits
Subject matter of the case The Office for Protection of Competition (the “Office”) imposed a fine of CZK 24,890,000 (approx. EUR 983,000) on REWE Zentralfinanz eG (“REWE”) for non-compliance with the remedies imposed in merger control proceedings regarding the merger of REWE and PLUS-DISCOUNT (...)

The South African Competition Tribunal approves conditionally large merger on the market for infant-nutrition products (Nestlé / Pfizer)
Primerio (Washington)
44 contributions 8297 visits
S.A. Clears 3-to-2 Infant Nutrition Merger with Remedies* The South African Competition Tribunal has green-lighted the almost $12bn (R106bn) Nestlé/Pfizer deal, which will combine the largest and 3rd-largest infant-nutrition companies in the South African republic, leaving competitor Aspen in (...)

The US FTC announces that it has revised the thresholds that determine whether companies are required to notify federal antitrust authorities about a transaction under the HSR Antitrust Improvements Act
Sheppard Mullin (Washington)
United States 12 contributions 1386 visits
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Sheppard Mullin (Washington)
United States 10 contributions 1067 visits
Higher Filing Thresholds for HSR Act Premerger Notifications Effective February 11, 2013* 1. Higher Thresholds For HSR Filings Higher thresholds for premerger filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 became effective on February 11, 2013. The filing thresholds (...)

England’s new economic regulator for healthcare advises the OFT and CC on the first NHS Foundation Trust merger notified following the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (Dorset FT)
UEA law school - Centre for Competition Policy (Norwich)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 248 visits
Article published on Centre for Competition Policy blog. Monitor’s Advice to the OFT and the New Healthcare Regulation* On 11 February, Monitor (the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts and economic regulator for healthcare in England) published its advice to the Office of Fair (...)

The Australian Competition and Consumer Authority issues a statement of issues outlining its concerns in relation to the proposed acquisition by a global food manufacturer of local infant food producer (Heinz / Rafferty’s Garden)
King & Wood Mallesons (Sydney)
Australia 11 contributions 1148 visits
This article was originally published on In Competition by King & Wood Mallesons (click here). Like taking food from a baby* On 7 February 2013, the ACCC issued a statement of issues outlining its concerns in relation to the proposed acquisition by Heinz of local infant food producer (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority imposed its highest fine ever for a breach of commitments in a merger case in the TV industry (Mediaset)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 226 contributions 62575 visits
On 7 February 2013, the Spanish Competition Authority (“CNC”) imposed its highest ever fine for a breach of commitments in a merger case. The fine was imposed on Spanish television group Mediaset based on commitments it made in exchange for CNC approval of the acquisition of Cuatro by (...)

The Albanian Competition Authority fines companies for gun-jumping and failure to notify (Viloil) (Geci) (Media Vision) (Alpha Bank / Emporiki Bank of Greece)
Këllezi Legal (Geneva)
Switzerland 11 contributions 19741 visits
The Albanian Competition Authority recently fined several companies for failure to notify a transaction and for late filing. The fines still remains symbolic at an amount not exceeding EUR 1’000; however, the number of decisions shows a trend in enforcement policy. On 5 February 2013, an (...)

The U.S. FTC proposes amendment to HSR Rules codifying "pull and refile" and mandating withdrawal for deals that will not proceed
Jones Day (Washington DC)
United States 17 contributions 5369 visits
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Sheppard Mullin (Washington)
United States 13 contributions 4443 visits
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Jones Day (Washington DC)
États-Unis 7 contributions 2184 visites
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has voted to issue a proposed rulemaking amending the rules governing Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) filings made by parties to a proposed merger. The amendments would (1) codify the informal "pull and refile" process and (2) mandate automatic withdrawal of (...)

The US FTC issues proposed rulemaking relating to withdrawal of Hart-Scott-Rodino filings
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (New York)
United States 21 contributions 9140 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (New York)
United States 13 contributions 2382 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (New York)
United States 11 contributions 2255 visits
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that, if adopted, will codify the FTC’s longstanding informal procedures for voluntarily withdrawing and refiling an HSR Act Premerger Notification and Report Form (HSR filing) and, more significantly, will (...)

Procedures

 The ECJ AG Kokott establishes that an unobjectionable error of law may exonerate an undertaking from antitrust liability to pay fines (Schenker)
Mircea (Bucharest)
Romania 32 contributions 15686 visits
I. Introduction Should the competition authorities bring proceedings against subjectively innocent undertakings? The assumption made by the respondents in the present case was that their own conduct was lawful and this hypothesis of lawfulness could be strengthened by the fact that during a (...)

The EU Court of Justice Advocate General Jääskinen postulates that the prohibition of reliance on the capacities of more than one auxiliary undertaking in order to fulfil the selection criteria is precluded by EU public procurement law (Mannocchi Luigino)
University of Bristol - Law School
Royaume-Uni 90 contributions 22454 visites
With a little help from my friends: A flexible and competition-oriented interpretation of rules on reliance on third party capabilities in public procurement (Opinion in C-94/12)* (This is an extended version of the comment previously posted on Albert’s personal blog). According to the current (...)

The Maltese Competition and Consumer Appeals Tribunal upholds NCA’s request not to exhibit documents obtained in the course of its investigations which were not used for rejecting the complaint (The Hon. Joe Mizzi)
Sciberras & Lia (Valletta)
Malte 16 contributions 44336 visites
In terms of Article 13A of Maltese Competition Act (Chapter 379 of Laws of Malta, hereinafter referred to as ’MCA’), the Director of the Office for Fair Trading (hereinafter referred to as ’Director’) applied to the Competition and Consumer Affairs Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as ’Tribunal’), (...)

The US Supreme Court holds that proof of materiality is not a prerequisite to certification of a securities-fraud class action (Amgen / Connecticut Retirement Plans & Trust Funds)
Cohen Milstein (Washington)
United States 48 contributions 6438 visits
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Cohen Milstein (New York)
United States 48 contributions 6438 visits
This case is not an antitrust case, nonetheless it has enormous precedential importance to class certifications in antitrust cases. Plaintiff securities purchasers brought suit under the federal securities laws, relying in order to establish common impact under Rule 23 on the (...)

The Maltese Competition and Consumer Appeal Tribunal rules on access to file by complainant (Hon. Mizzi)
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 713 contributions 202423 visits
Malta: The Competition and Consumer Appeal Tribunal rules on Access to File by Complainant* On 27 February 2013, in Hon. Mizzi vs Office for Competition, the Competition and Consumer Appeal Tribunal (the Tribunal) reached a decision in parte clarifying the extent to which information (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice confirms constitutionality of central fining provision of competition law (Cement Cartel)
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 713 contributions 202423 visits
Germany: The Bundesgerichtshof confirms Constitutionality of Central Fining Provision of German Competition Law * On 26 February 2013, the Bundesgerichtshof, (Federal Court of Justice) the highest German court in cartel cases, has upheld a judgment by the Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf imposing (...)

The United Arab Emirates is soon to enact its first regulatory framework governing anti-competitive behavior and monopoly practices
Jones Day (Dubai)
Émirats arabes unis 1 contribution 100 visites
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Hannes Snellman (Helsinki)
Finlande 1 contribution 100 visites
The United Arab Emirates (the "UAE") is soon to enact its first regulatory framework governing anti-competitive behavior and monopoly practices. Federal Law No. 4 of 2012 Concerning Regulating Competition (the "UAE Competition Law") is to come into effect on February 23, 2013 and is set to (...)

The French Competition Authority announces the launch of an inquiry into the pharma sector
JPTT-Vitale (Paris)
France 175 contributions 366279 visites
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Juliette Goyer Avocat (Paris)
France 22 contributions 60824 visits
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Novartis (Rueil-Malmaison)
France 4 contributions 3440 visites
On 26 February 2013, the French Competition Authority (“Autorité de la concurrence”) announced the launch of a pharma sector inquiry. The Autorité ’s main goal is to address the cost of prescription medicines for social security, the high prices of non-reimbursable medicines, and the low level of (...)

The French Competition Authority launches inquiries into distribution of medicinal products and interregional coach transport
European Commission (Brussels)
Belgium 713 contributions 202423 visits
France: The Autorité de la concurrence launches Sector Inquiries into Distribution of Medicinal Products and Interregional Coach Transport* In February 2013, the Autorité de la concurrence (the Autorité) launched two ex officio sector inquiries into, the distribution of medicinal products and (...)

The Italian Competition Authority’s sector inquiry tackles the reasons behind constant increases in the cost of private motor insurance
Pavia e Ansaldo (Roma)
Italy 12 contributions 1432 visits
The Italian Competition Authority’s sector inquiry tackles the reasons behind constant increases in the cost of private motor insurance in Italy head on. In brief the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has identified a number of features that raise competition concerns in the private motor (...)

The US Supreme Court unanimously rejects a Georgia state-sanctioned hospital authority’s claim that its acquisition of a competing hospital was immune from antitrust scrutiny under the state-action doctrine (FTC / Phoebe Putney)
Cleveland University - Marshall School of Law
United States 10 contributions 7602 visits
Phoebe Putney: A Quick Post-Mortem, and Some Thoughts on the Next Justice Stevens* I often feel a certain deflation after the Supreme Court decides an antitrust case. After watching a case for months, prognosticating about it with other antitrusters, reading umpteen blog posts, reading the (...)

The US Supreme Court limits state-action immunity in hospital merger (Phoebe Putney Health System)
Paul Hastings (San Francisco)
United States 4 contributions 1997 visits
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Paul Hastings (San Francisco)
États-Unis 2 contributions 293 visites
On February 19, 2013, the Supreme Court visited a corner of the antitrust map that it last glimpsed during the Reagan Administration—the state action doctrine. The case that prompted this sojourn, FTC v. Phoebe Putney Health System, Inc., arose when a hospital authority in Albany-Dougherty (...)

The US Supreme Court decides that states which don’t clearly articulated and affirmatively expressed a policy allowing hospitals authorities to make acquisitions wont be under the state-action immunity (FTC / Pheobe Putney)
Bona Law (Los Angeles)
1 contribution 7 visites
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Bona Law (San Diego)
États-Unis 1 contribution 7 visites
This article briefly explores the applicability of federal antitrust laws to actions taken by municipalities or other state subdivisions and, specifically, whether they have acted pursuant to a clearly articulated state policy to displace competition in the marketplace. Federal antitrust laws (...)

The US Supreme Court narrows "State-Action" doctrine in hospital merger challenged by the US FTC (Phoebe Putney)
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (New York)
United States 17 contributions 8297 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Palo Alto)
United States 8 contributions 2697 visits
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Clifford Chance (Washington D.C.)
United States 10 contributions 5873 visits
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In a unanimous decision issued on February 19, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the state-action doctrine did not immunize Phoebe Putney Health System’s acquisition of Palmyra Park Hospital in Albany, Georgia. The decision immediately was hailed by FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz as "a big (...)

The US Supreme Court decides a case interpreting the doctrine of state action immunity from federal antitrust liability (Phoebe Putney Health System)
University of Indiana
United States 4 contributions 4399 visits
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University of Indiana - Maurer School of Law (Indianapolis)
États-Unis 1 contribution 355 visites
I. The State Action Doctrine State Action immunity from the application of U.S. antitrust law was established by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Parker v. Brown. Based on principles of federalism and deference to state powers to structure their own economic policy, the doctrine allows (...)

EU Court of Justice Advocate General Jääskinen concludes that the Austrian consent rule impedes access to justice by damages claimants and it is precluded by Union law (Donau Chemie)
Mircea (Bucharest)
Romania 32 contributions 15686 visits
I. Introduction The main pursuit of this article is to use the opportunity given by the present case in order to revisit the apparent dichotomy existent between private and public enforcement of competition law. My claim is that the two avenues must be seen as complementary rather than (...)

The Slovak Antimonopoly Office initiates public discussion on the amendment of the competition act
Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) (Ljubljana)
Slovenia 7 contributions 3751 visits
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University of Oxford
Royaume-Uni 4 contributions 2527 visites
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Dagital Legal (Bratislava)
4 contributions 918 visits
Factual background As a follow-up to the release by the Slovak Anti-Monopoly Office (the “AMO”) of information on the planned amendment of the Slovak Competition Act (the “Act”), the AMO recently initiated public discussion on the amendment. The declared purpose of the amendment is to better link (...)

The EU Court of Justice Advocate General Jääskinen puts forward that an absolute level of protection should be afforded by legislative means to the leniency applicants (Donau Chemie)
University of Bristol - Law School
Royaume-Uni 90 contributions 22454 visites
Why is #competition law so special? Or how #leniency will kill private #damages actions (AG C-536/11)* In his Opinion of 7 February 2013 in case C-536/11 Donau Chemie and Others, Advocate General Jääskinen has developed a line of reasoning that goes well beyond the issue at hand (whether access (...)

Regulatory

 The EU Court of Justice rules that the regulatory activity of professional associations is subject to competition rules (Ordem dos Técnicos Oficiais de Contas)
BDK (Belgrade)
Serbia 14 contributions 265 visits
In Ordem dos Técnicos Oficiais de Contas v Autoridade da Concorrência(judgment of 28 February 2013), the Court of Justice of the European Union weighed in on the issue whether a regulatory activity of a statutory professional association was an economic activity subject to assessment under (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on competition issues in television and broadcasting
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 291 contributions 845291 visits
Executive summary, by the Secretariat * Considering the discussion at the roundtable, the background paper as well as the delegates’ and experts’ written submissions, several key points emerge: 1. The television and broadcasting sector has been undergoing significant technological and (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable competition and poverty reduction
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 291 contributions 845291 visits
Executive summary, by the Secretariat * 1. Considering the discussion at the Forum, the delegates’ written submissions, and the Secretariat’s background paper, several key points emerge: 1. Poverty is multidimensional, not defined solely by incomes below an arbitrary level 2. Simple measures (...)

The Supreme Court of Pakistan sets aside the orders passed by the Lahore High Court and orders to the Chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan to issue notices to all parties concerned and decide the matter (ADG LDI v. Brain Telecommunication)
University College London
United Kingdom 3 contributions 454 visits
Vide its order dated 21st February 2013 a two-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan granted leave to appeal to ADG LDI (Pvt.) Ltd and Circle Net Communications Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited (hereinafter “Petitioners”) and allowed the appeal in the following terms: (a) set aside the orders (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority files an application for appeal in case of denial to grant a competitor access to a firefighting training area (Räddningstjänsten Dala Mitt)
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Sweden 55 contributions 6937 visits
The Swedish Competition Authority appeals ruling* The Swedish Competition Authority wants the Market Court to reverse the acquittal of the Dala-Mitt Rescue Services. The Stockholm City Court’s assessment is incorrect on several points and includes evidence requirements that go above and beyond (...)

The Danish Competition Council advises the Minister of Culture against reintroducing fixed retail prices in the book market
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Denmark 103 contributions 25946 visits
The Danish Competition Council advises the Minister of Culture against reintroducing fixed retail prices in the book market* On February 20 2013, The Danish Competition Council (DCC) has sent an open letter to the Minister of Culture in which the DCC advises the Minister of Culture against (...)

The Danish Competition Council settles a case concerning two anticompetitive decisions in the collegiate rules of a minor association of accountants
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Denmark 103 contributions 25946 visits
Anti-Competitive Decisions in the Collegiate Rules of Foreningen Danske Revisorer* On February 20, 2013, the Danish Competition Council settled a case concerning two anti-competitive decisions in the collegiate rules of a minor association of Danish accountants. According to the rules in (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority publishes its conclusions regarding the automotive spare parts market
Kinstellar (Bucarest)
Roumanie 7 contributions 1729 visites
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OMV Petrom (Bucharest)
Roumanie 7 contributions 1586 visites
In April 2012, the Romanian Competition Council (the "RCA") in its report following to the sector inquiry into the automotive spare parts market (the "Report").proposed the implementation of the "repair clause" into Romanian legislation After a public consultation on its initial analysis and (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on methods for allocating contracts for the provision of regional and local transportation services
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 291 contributions 845291 visits
Executive summary, by the Secretariat * Considering the discussion at the roundtable, the delegates’ submissions, as well as the panellists’ presentations and papers, several points emerge: (1) Restrictions on the number of licences in taxi markets are a key impediment to competition and to the (...)

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