Competition

Latest news on mergers, liberalisation, anti-trust, state aid, background information and web links about the European Union's cometition policy.

White Paper on Private Enforcement — 03 April 2008, 15:58 CET

Latest news on mergers, liberalisation, anti-trust, state aid, background information and web links about the European Union's cometition policy.

Commission investigation into UK restructuring aid package for Northern Rock - guide — 02 April 2008, 12:18 CET

Latest news on mergers, liberalisation, anti-trust, state aid, background information and web links about the European Union's cometition policy.

Air France targeted by EU anti-trust probe: company — 12 March 2008, 16:33 CET

Air France acknowledged on Wednesday that it had been targeted by a European investigation into alleged price fixing on flights to Japan.

Intel chief fights EU antitrust charges — 12 March 2008, 00:33 CET

Intel brought out the big guns Tuesday to defend the world's largest microchip maker against EU antitrust charges, with chief executive Paul Otellini in Brussels for a hearing with European regulators.

EU case against Microsoft - background — 28 February 2008, 23:42 CET

Latest news on mergers, liberalisation, anti-trust, state aid, background information and web links about the European Union's cometition policy.

European Commission Decision of 27 February 2008 to impose penalty payments on Microsoft - guide — 27 February 2008, 14:45 CET

Latest news on mergers, liberalisation, anti-trust, state aid, background information and web links about the European Union's cometition policy.

Commission fine on E.ON for breach of seal during inspection - guide — 30 January 2008, 16:51 CET

Latest news on mergers, liberalisation, anti-trust, state aid, background information and web links about the European Union's cometition policy.

EU conveyancing services market: Commission study — 30 January 2008, 11:27 CET

The European Commission has published a study by independent consultants on the EU markets for legal services associated with house and land sales (conveyancing services). The study finds that consumers have greater choice and are on average paying less for conveyancing services under deregulated systems, with no loss in quality. The market for conveyancing services is worth about EUR 17 billion per annum; efficiency savings of even a few per cent following deregulation would therefore save consumers millions of euros each year. The Commission is calling on EU Member States to look at the findings and to review and update national laws which limit competition and the free circulation of services throughout the Single Market instead of serving the interests of consumers.

State Aid reform — 10 January 2008, 17:00 CET

This European Commission webpage provides information on current draft legislation and reform projects in the field of state aid. You will also find background information such as links to policy papers and Council conclusions on state aid. See also a section on Studies and Reports in general and the new version of the Vademecum on State Aid in particular.

EU raids monitor makers in cartel probe — 09 November 2007, 16:33 CET

EU competition regulators have raided makers of cathode ray tubes in television sets and computer monitors on suspicion of running an illegal cartel.

Spain appeals EU fine against Telefonica — 30 October 2007, 19:51 CET

Spain says it has appealed a fine of EUR 151.8 million (219 million dollars) imposed by European Union antitrust regulators on Telefonica for uncompetitive practices.

EU court annuls cartel fines against Italian construction bar makers — 25 October 2007, 12:19 CET

A European court has annulled EUR 85 million of fines on eight Italian companies for restrictive practices in the sector of steel reinforcing bars for construction work.

victory for the consumer — 25 October 2007, 10:58 CET

victory for the consumer

Microsoft abandons remaining EU court cases — 24 October 2007, 16:38 CET

US software giant Microsoft has withdrawn its two remaining appeals from European courts, after throwing in the towel in a long-running competition row with the Commission.

Commission probes French guarantees to post office — 23 October 2007, 16:24 CET

The Commission on Tuesday announced an in-depth investigation into French government guarantees for the national postal service La Poste.

Microsoft agrees changes after losing antitrust case — 23 October 2007, 16:01 CET

US software giant Microsoft has agreed to make "substantial changes" to comply with an EU ruling that it was abusing its dominant market position, the European Commission says.

EU regulator clears Blackstone takeover of Hilton Hotels — 19 October 2007, 19:17 CET

The European Commission cleared Friday Blackstone Group's purchase of US-based Hilton Hotels Corporation, a buyout which would create the world's biggest hotel concern.

EU clears Imperial's buy of Altadis — 18 October 2007, 19:55 CET

The European Commission on Thursday gave the green light to the purchase by Britain's Imperial Tobacco of Franco-Spanish competitor Altadis.

Antitrust: EU Commission fine for Visa for refusing to admit Morgan Stanley as a member – frequently asked questions — 03 October 2007, 14:01 CET

Latest news on mergers, liberalisation, anti-trust, state aid, background information and web links about the European Union's cometition policy.

Harsh reaction in US to Microsoft EU antitrust ruling — 18 September 2007, 14:31 CET

An EU court ruling upholding antitrust sanctions against Microsoft drew a harsh response from the US government, which said it may stifle the burgeoning technology sector.

An Introduction to Competition Law (Amazon, paperback) — 18 September 2007, 12:50 CET

Latest news on mergers, liberalisation, anti-trust, state aid, background information and web links about the European Union's cometition policy.

Microsoft loses landmark EU antitrust case — 17 September 2007, 19:37 CET

A top European court on Monday handed Microsoft a surprise defeat in its epic antitrust battles, backing the European Commission's 2004 record fine of EUR 497 million on the software giant.

History of the EU Microsoft case — 14 September 2007, 14:08 CET

Information about the European Commission’s March 2004 Microsoft Decision, the Court of First Instance proceedings relating to that Decision, and its ongoing implementation.

EC Competition Law (Law in Context) — 05 September 2007, 00:56 CET

Latest news on mergers, liberalisation, anti-trust, state aid, background information and web links about the European Union's cometition policy.

EU regulators quiz Italy over tax breaks for church — 28 August 2007, 23:44 CET

EU competition regulators are looking into whether tax breaks for the Catholic Church in Italy break EU state aid rules after receiving complaints.