Competition Policy in the EU

Latest news on competition policy in the European Union.

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UPS drops bid to create European parcel giant, TNT stock crashes — 14 January 2013, 15:51 CET

United Parcel Service has abandoned an attempt to create the biggest European group in the fight for the global parcel market, pulling out of a giant bid for Dutch TNT Express which immediately lost about half its value.

EU to force Google to change listing of search results: report — 10 January 2013, 22:06 CET

Google will have to change the way it presents search results or face anti-trust charges for favouring its own services, the EU's competition chief told the Financial Times.

EU moves to end state rail monopolies — 10 January 2013, 17:50 CET

In proposals likely to infuriate Germany, the Commission will this month urge an end to Europe's last rail monopolies and so open the lucrative passenger market to competition from 2019.

Finland asks EU to probe France ship deal — 08 January 2013, 17:41 CET

Finland said Tuesday it has asked the European Commission to shed light on French state subsidies given to shipbuilder STX France to help it clinch a one billion-euro cruise ship order.

US Google ruling has no impact on EU probe — 04 January 2013, 20:13 CET

The decision by US authorities to close down an 18-month anti-trust investigation into Internet giant Google has no bearing on what the EU will do with its own probe, the European Commission said Friday.

Relief for Google as US ends monopoly probe — 03 January 2013, 22:43 CET

US regulators have closed a lengthy antitrust probe into Google, saying there is not enough evidence to show the Internet giant manipulated its search results to harm its competitors.

Microsoft slams Google on 'proper' YouTube app — 03 January 2013, 13:31 CET

Microsoft has stepped up its criticism of Google on antitrust grounds, claiming the Internet giant refuses to allow Windows Phone users "proper access" to the YouTube video service.

Samsung - Enforcement of ETSI standards essential patents (SEPs) — 21 December 2012, 23:43 CET

The European Commission has informed Samsung of its preliminary view that Samsung's seeking of injunctions against Apple in various EU Member States on the basis of its mobile phone standard-essential patents ("SEPs") amounts to an abuse of a dominant position prohibited by EU antitrust rules. While recourse to injunctions is a possible remedy for patent infringements, such conduct may be abusive where SEPs are concerned and the potential licensee is willing to negotiate a licence on Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (so-called "FRAND") terms. The sending of a Statement of Objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.

Samsung injunctions against Apple breach rules: EU — 21 December 2012, 23:42 CET

The European Commission said Friday that South Korea's Samsung Electronics was abusing its dominant market position in certain technologies when it took out injunctions against fierce rival Apple.

EU says to set out anti-trust case against Samsung soon — 20 December 2012, 21:37 CET

The EU will set out its case against Samsung Electronics "very soon" following an anti-trust probe of the smartphone and mobile tablet market, Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Thursday.

EU decision on Microsoft probe close — 20 December 2012, 17:50 CET

The European Commission says it is close to a decision in its investigation of US giant Microsoft and its failure to provide clients with a choice of Web browser, as it had promised to do.

US eyes Google antitrust settlement: reports — 17 December 2012, 18:12 CET

US regulators are likely to conclude a lengthy antitrust probe of Google's dominance of Internet searches with a voluntary settlement, news reports said on Monday.

EU gives temporary approval to rescue of Italy's MPS — 17 December 2012, 17:56 CET

The European Commission on Monday gave temporary approval "for reasons of financial stability" to the recapitalisation of Italy's third-biggest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS).

South Korea's LG to appeal European fine for price-fixing — 06 December 2012, 11:08 CET

LG Electronics vowed on Thursday to appeal against a European Commission fine of nearly 500 million euros for price-fixing, calling the penalty unfair and discriminatory.

EU hits screen makers with record cartel fine — 05 December 2012, 16:57 CET

The European Commission has hit seven top TV and computer screen makers, including LG Electronics and Philips, with a record fine of EUR 1.5 bn for running decade-long price-fixing cartels.

EU anti-subsidy investigation on solar panel imports from China — 08 November 2012, 13:46 CET

The European Commission has launched an anti-subsidy ("countervailing duty") investigation into imports of solar panels and their key components (i.e. solar cells and solar wafers) originating in China.

Statement of Objections to Microsoft on non-compliance with browser choice commitments — 24 October 2012, 13:21 CET

The European Commission has informed Microsoft of its preliminary view that Microsoft has failed to comply with its commitments to offer users a choice screen enabling them to easily choose their preferred web browser. In 2009, the Commission had made these commitments legally binding on Microsoft. The sending of a statement of objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.

EU warns Microsoft over new Windows 8 — 24 October 2012, 18:24 CET

The European Commission warned Microsoft on Wednesday that it risked an investigation into its new Windows 8 software if the company did not meet commitments on web browser choice.

Google faces moment of truth on monopoly probe — 21 October 2012, 10:23 CET

Google faces a moment of truth in the coming weeks over a lengthy US probe into potential abuse of its Internet search dominance, amid regulatory woes on both sides of the Atlantic.

South Korea puzzled by French dumping accusations — 18 October 2012, 21:35 CET

South Korean Trade Minister Taeho Bark said he was puzzled by statements made by the French government, which has accused the Korean automobile industry of flooding the French market, in an interview posted online Thursday.

Advent in EUR 1.5bn offer for German perfume retailer Douglas — 15 October 2012, 13:41 CET

US private equity group Advent International is teaming up with the founders of perfume retailer Douglas to launch a 1.5-billion-euro ($1.9-billion) takeover of the group, the German firm said Monday.

EU extends Dexia guarantee clearance to Jan 2013 — 26 September 2012, 15:44 CET

The European Commission has extended by four months its clearance for France, Belgium and Luxembourg to provide state guarantees worth 55 billion euros for failed Dexia bank.

EU solar panel makers want fresh China probe — 25 September 2012, 17:09 CET

European solar panel makers have called for a second probe into imports from China, charging that not only are they dumped on the market but that Chinese firms get unfair government support too.

EU's Almunia wants France, Belgium to 'speed up' Dexia deal — 25 September 2012, 13:49 CET

EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia has called on France and Belgium to "speed up" negotiations over public guarantees behind a restructured Dexia bank.

Microsoft faces fine over browser commitment — 25 September 2012, 17:05 CET

US software giant Microsoft faces yet more heavy fines after it promised to offer clients a choice of web browser but has failed to do so, the EU's competition commissioner said Monday.