In the News
The European Commission has opened two separate Phase II merger investigations into the acquisition of the hard drive disk business of Samsung by Seagate Technology and the acquisition of the storage business of Hitachi by Western Digital Corporation. There are concerns that the transactions could lead to further consolidation in the hard drive disk sector. The European Commission is also examining the risk of anti-competitive coordination.Click here.
European Commission officials, accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities, have conducted unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the manufacturing, supply and distribution of piston engines in several member states. The investigation follows concerns that the companies may have engaged in anti-competitive practices in breach of Article 101 TFEU. Click here.
EU
European Commission
- Details of an appeal brought by Aeroporia Aigaiou Aeroporiki and Marfin Investment Group Symmetochon against the European Commission's decision to prohibit the merger between Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air have been published in the Official Journal. Click here.
Article 102
- Details of an appeal brought by Si.mobil against the European Commission's decision to reject its complaint about alleged abuse of dominance by Mobitel in a range of mobile communications markets, have been published in the Official Journal. Click here.
Mergers – Cleared
- Axa/Permira online travel agency joint venture. Click here.
- Kokerei Prosper/ArcelorMittal Bremen. Click here.
Mergers – Invitation to Comment
- RWA/OMV Wärme. Click here.
- LVMH/Bulgari. Click here.
- RBI/EFG Eurobank/JV. Click here.
State aid
- Advocate General Kokott has delivered an opinion in a reference for a preliminary ruling from the Dutch Supreme Court, and consida that a state guarantee for a private loan, granted in breach of the rules on State aid, must be considered invalid if the lender is in fact also a beneficiary of the aid. Click here to read the Opinion in French.
- Joaquin Almunia speech on state aid policy: click here.
Speeches
- Joaquín Almunia: "Fair process in EU competition enforcement European Competition". Click here.
- Neelie Kroes: "How do we deliver broadband for all?" Click here.
UK
CAT
- The CAT has published the transcript of a case management conference held in respect of the tobacco retail pricing appeals. Click here.
- The CAT has ruled that a damages action brought under section 47A of the Competition Act 1998 by Deutsche Bahn and others against Morgan Crucible had been brought out of time and so should be struck out. Click here.
Competition Commission
- The Competition Commission has provisionally decided to clear the acquisition by Stena AB of two Irish Sea ferry services operated by DFDS AS. Click here.
OFT
- The OFT has decided not to appeal the Competition Appeal Tribunal's judgments on the appeals against the OFT's construction cover pricing decision. Click here.
- The OFT has published emerging key findings in its market study into mobility aids and whether consumers are treated fairly and competition in the supply of wheelchairs. Click here.
- Mergers cleared: The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc./Chaucer Holdings plc. Click here.
- Mergers – Invitation to Comment: Survitec/Zodiac; Digital Healthcare Limited/Orion Imaging Limited; Level 3 Communications, Inc./Global Crossing Limited. Click here.
Speeches
- John Fingleton: "The future vision of the International Competition Network". Click here.
- John Fingleton: "The future of the UK competition regime". Click here.
Other
- Ofcom has published its final statement on changes to the General Conditions and Universal Service Conditions in order to implement the revised EU electronic communications framework. Click here.
- Ofcom has published research into the performance of mobile broadband in the UK. Click here.
- Ofcom has announced that BT has agreed to renew voluntary undertakings in respect of the supply and pricing of analogue and low bandwidth digital leased lines. Click here.
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