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ARTICLE · 16 AUGUST 2011

Focus Antitrust - Competition Weekly Email Alert - 10 August 2011

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
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Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

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Following its dairy products retail pricing investigation, the OFT has imposed fines totalling £49.51 million on four supermarkets and five dairy processors for co-ordinating increases in the prices consumers paid for certain dairy products in 2002 and/or 2003.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Paul Stone
Paul Stone

In the News

Following its dairy products retail pricing investigation, the OFT has imposed fines totalling £49.51 million on four supermarkets and five dairy processors for co-ordinating increases in the prices consumers paid for certain dairy products in 2002 and/or 2003. Click here.

The European Commission has announced that it has opened formal proceedings to investigate alleged anti-competitive practices by luxury watch manufacturers. The Commission is investigating allegations that several luxury watch manufacturers have breached Article 101 and/or 102 of the TFEU by refusing to supply spare parts to independent repairers. Click here.

EU

Article 101/102

  • Details of an action brought by Italmobiliare to challenge a European Commission decision to request information under Article 18 of Regulation 1/2003 in relation to an investigation in the cement industry have been published in the Official Journal. Click here.

Mergers – Cleared

Mergers – Phase II Investigation

UK

Competition Commission

  • The CC has published a notice of extension in relation to the anticipated travel agency joint venture between Thomas Cook, the Co-operative Group and the Midlands Co-operative Society. Click here.
  • The CC has published a statement of the issues that it is considering in its investigation into the completed acquisition by Kerry Foods Limited of the frozen ready meals business of Headland Foods Limited. Click here.
  • The CC has published for consultation its provisional findings on tacit co-ordination as part of its market investigation into the supply of local bus services. Click here.

OFT

  • Mergers – invitation to comment: Rontec/Total; Ryder/Hill Hire; Alpha Flight/LSG Lufthansa; Hypercom/VeriFone Systems, click here.
  • Mergers – hold separate undertakings: Lightcatch Limited/Tote, click here.
  • Mergers – full text decisions: Diamond Foods/Proctor & Gamble's Pringles business, click here; Kerry Foods Limited/ Headland Foods Limited, click here; Virgin Active Holdings Limited/Esporta Racquets and Non-Racquets Holdings, click here.
  • Ofcom has published for consultation a draft determination to resolve a dispute between Telefonica O2 UK Limited and each of Vodafone Ltd and H3G UK Ltd about wholesale voice call termination charges in October 2010. Click here.
  • Ofcom has published its Communications Market Report 2011. Click here.
  • Ofcom has published the non-confidential version of the models used to calculate the charge controls on BT for wholesale broadband access in (mostly rural) areas where BT is the only wholesale provider. Click here.

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