The Indian Competition Authority fines a national publishing association for restricting its members’ maximum discounts and participation in procurement advertisements (Federation of Publishers’ and Booksellers’ Associations in India)

KEY POINTS The practice of restricting the maximum discount and issuing advisories for members to not participate in certain procurement advertisements amounts to anti-competitive conduct, especially if coercive action is taken by the governing body to ensure adherence by its members. BRIEF FACTS The information was filed by M/s International Subscription Agency (“Informant”) alleging a contravention of Section 3(3)(a) read with Section 3(1) of the Act by the Federation of Publishers and Booksellers