Competition Policy in the EU

Latest business news about Competition Policy in the European Union

Microsoft appeals against record EU anti-trust fine — 09 May 2008, 19:08 CET

Microsoft on Friday lodged an appeal at a European court against the record EUR 899 million fine imposed on it by the European Commission for defying a landmark anti-trust ruling.

EU files cartel charges against marine hose makers — 05 May 2008, 16:20 CET

The European Commission said Monday it had filed cartel charges against companies that make hoses used to load oil on tankers.

EU approves STX Shipbuilding's stake in Aker Yards — 06 May 2008, 17:00 CET

EU competition regulators have given the green light to the purchase by South Korean group STX Shipbuilding of a controlling minority interest in Aker Yards.

4th Annual Competition Policy Conference (, from 20 June 2008, 00:00 CET to 20 June 2008, 00:00 CET) —

The Role of Competition and Liberalization in Furthering Competitiveness.

EU warns Italy on renationalising Alitalia — 30 April 2008, 13:46 CET

The Commission will refuse all new state aid for Alitalia, a senior official at the EU executive said on Wednesday after Rome raised the prospect of re- nationalising the ailing airline.

EU clears EUR 1.1bn state aid for Italian post office — 30 April 2008, 13:43 CET

The European Commission cleared on Wednesday EUR 1.1 billion in state aid for Poste Italiane, judging the post operator needed the support to meet its public service obligations.

EU approves state rescue aid for German bank WestLB — 30 April 2008, 22:43 CET

The Commission has approved a state-backed rescue for German bank WestLB, hit by its exposure to the US market for subprime home loans.

EU clears Oracle takeover of BEA Systems — 29 April 2008, 14:44 CET

The European Commission approved on Tuesday US business software giant Oracle Corp's takeover of US rival BEA Systems Inc.

Tata Motors wins EU approval for Jaguar, Land Rover buy — 25 April 2008, 17:05 CET

The Commission has given the green light to Indian group Tata Motors' takeover of Jaguar and Land Rover from carmaker Ford.

Berlusconi slams EU doubts on Alitalia loan: report — 24 April 2008, 23:44 CET

Italy's incoming prime minister Silvio Berlusconi Thursday criticised the European Commission for questioning a move by the state to bail out cash-strapped flag carrier Alitalia with a loan.

Alitalia rescue plan hits EU turbulence — 24 April 2008, 18:15 CET

The European Commission has voiced concern about Italian plans for a bailout of Alitalia, raising the prospect that EU regulators might block a vital state loan to the ailing airline.

Italian government to detail Alitalia loan terms to EU — 24 April 2008, 18:15 CET

The outgoing Italian government said Thursday it would provide details of its emergency loan for the near bankrupt national airline Alitalia to the European Commission within 10 working days.

EU regulators voice doubts on Italy's Alitalia rescue plan — 24 April 2008, 14:30 CET

The Commission has doubts that an Italian plan to help troubled airline Alitalia is on commercial terms, and will seek more details on whether illegal state aid is involved.

EU regulators examine Alitalia rescue plan — 23 April 2008, 23:41 CET

Italian authorities have given the European Commission a letter explaining how they plan to help troubled airline Alitalia and EU regulators are examining the scheme.

EU in contact with Italy over Alitalia — 22 April 2008, 14:21 CET

The European Commission is in contact with Italy over the fate of its near-bankrupt national flag carrier Alitalia but has not been informed of any state bail out plans.

EU regulator studying Bank of England lending package — 21 April 2008, 14:34 CET

The European Commission is studying a Bank of England plan to free up Britain's home loan market but it is too early to say whether the move would constitute state aid.

Alitalia may get 100-150 mln euro loan from govt: report — 18 April 2008, 11:10 CET

The government may lend struggling Italian flag carrier Alitalia 100 to 150 million euros (160-238 million dollars) to give it more time to find a partner after talks broke down with Air France-KLM, reports said Friday.

German state wants to keep minority blocking stake in VW — 17 April 2008, 16:52 CET

The German state of Lower Saxony wants to preserve a minority blocking stake in Volkswagen to ensure the company's stability.

EU in contact with banks about rival to Visa, MasterCard — 17 April 2008, 15:25 CET

The European Commission says contacts have been held with banks on setting up a payments card network that could rival Visa and MasterCard in a sector it says lacks competition.

EU approves Vivendi purchase of Activision — 16 April 2008, 22:27 CET

The Commission has approved French communications company Vivendi's purchase of US video games group Activision after finding the deal would not threaten competition.

EU approves Groupama purchase of insurance arm of OTP — 16 April 2008, 11:49 CET

The European Commission approved on Wednesday French insurer Groupama's purchase of the insurance business of the biggest Hungarian bank after finding the deal would not stifle competition.

EU gives green light to Arcelor, BE joint venture — 10 April 2008, 18:56 CET

The European Commission on Thursday approved a proposed joint venture between ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel producer, and Sweden's BE Sverige group.

Two-stripe imitations could infringe Adidas logo: EU court — 10 April 2008, 13:40 CET

Adidas has successfully defended its three stripes logo as the European Court of Justice ruled that two-stripe imitations could infringe the German sportswear maker's trademark.

Germany not fully complying on 'Volkswagen law': EU — 10 April 2008, 19:06 CET

Planned German changes to a law protecting automaker Volkswagen from takeover bids are insufficient, a spokeswoman for the European Commission said on Thursday.

EU regulator approves Renault acquisition of Avtovaz — 09 April 2008, 13:59 CET

The European Union's top competition regulator has approved a move by French car-maker Renault to buy a stake in Avtovaz, Russia's biggest auto producer.