In the News
Government presses ahead with changes to the UK competition regime
The Queen's speech announced the Government's plans to introduce The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, which will implement the Government's proposals to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the UK competition regime, including the merger of the OFT and the Competition Commission into a single competition authority. Click here.
Advocate General recommends AstraZeneca abuse decision should stand
Advocate General Mazak has given his opinion on AstraZeneca's appeal against the judgement of the General Court that largely upheld the European Commission's decision that AstraZeneca had engaged in abusive patent misuse. The Advocate General considered that the General Court was correct to agree with the Commission's view that AstraZeneca had abused its dominant position by making misleading representations to patent offices and by withdrawing marketing authorisations in order to delay generic entry. Click here.
EU
Articles 101 and 102
- The European Commission has published a decision rejecting a complaint against Numericable Luxembourg alleging violations of Article 102 in connection with the wired telecommunications, internet connection and cable television markets in Luxembourg. The Commission's reasoning was that there was not a sufficient Community interest in pursuing the complaint, given the limited impact on the internal market, the complexity of the investigation required, the limited likelihood of establishing proof of an infringement and the availability of national remedies. Click here.
UK
Competition Commission
- The Competition Commission has published an issues statement as part of its investigation into DCC Energy UK Limited's (which operates GB Oils) completed acquisition of a number of businesses from Rontec LLP Limited which were previously owned by Total Downstream UK plc. Click here.
- The Competition Commission has accepted final purchaser undertakings from Global Infrastructure Investors in relation to the Edinburgh airport sale by BAA. Click here.
- The Competition Commission has extended the deadline for Stericycle to divest Ecowaste Southwest, on the basis that the launch of proceedings by Stericycle before the Competition Appeal Tribunal constitutes a material change of circumstances justifying an extension. Click here.
OFT
- The OFT is considering undertakings offered by Edmundson Electrical Limited to sell a branch in each of four local areas in England and Scotland to remedy competition concerns raised by its completed acquisition of Electric Center, formerly part of the Wolseley Group. Click here.
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