Multikino Given Conditional Permission To Acquire Silver Screen

Multikino has been given conditional permission to acquire Silver Screen cinemas by the President of the Protection of Competition and Consumers' Office (UOKiK).

The acquisition will give Multikino a 30% share of the Polish cinema market and consolidate its position as Poland's second largest cinema chain.

Permission was granted on condition that Multikino does not take any step to acquire rights to another multiplex cinema in Gdynia. It is also required to notify the UOKiK of the total number of cinemas under its ownership in Gdynia until there is competition in Gdynia.

It is not that common practice for UOKiK to give conditional consent: it only happened twice in 2007 and is the first decision of this kind in 2008. It may only be issued where the transaction will not result in a substantial limitation of competition and the participants comply with additional conditions such as selling property