Competition Law

Commission authorises Austrian scheme for farmers aid by Ina Dimireva — last modified 22 April 2010, 01:22 CET

The European Commission authorised an Austrian scheme with a budget of approximately €1.2 million which aims at supporting farmers in Austria who encounter difficulties as a result of the current economic crisis.

Commission revises EU competition rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 20 April 2010, 22:50 CET

The European Commission has adopted a new Regulation that 'block exempts' distribution and supply agreements at different levels of the production and distribution chain.

Commission approves second prolongation of Slovenian liquidity scheme for the financial sector by Ina Dimireva — last modified 15 April 2010, 23:58 CET

The European Commission has authorised, under EU state aid rules, the second prolongation until 30 June 2010 of a Slovenian liquidity scheme for the financial sector.

Commission authorises French funding for Daher-Socata and Sogerma by Ina Dimireva — last modified 15 April 2010, 00:18 CET

The European Commission has authorised France under EU State aid rules to grant repayable advances of €35.14 million to Daher-Socata (€12.34 million) and Sogerma (€22.8 million).

Commission approves €19 million German support to Salzgitter AG by Ina Dimireva — last modified 15 April 2010, 00:18 CET

The European Commission has authorised Germany to grant €19.1 million for an energy-saving steel production project run by Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, a subsidiary of the Salzgitter AG group.

Commission increases electricity trading capacity on the Swedish borders by Ina Dimireva — last modified 15 April 2010, 00:18 CET

The European Commission has adopted a decision rendering legally binding commitments offered by Svenska Kraftnät (SvK) that will increase trade in electricity within Sweden and between Sweden and neighbouring countries.

Commission will revise competition rules in distribution sector by Ina Dimireva — last modified 09 April 2010, 23:56 CET

The Commission next week is due to update the rules providing a 'safe harbour' for agreements between manufacturers and distributors.

Mergers: Commission approves proposed joint venture by Bosch, Deutz and Eberspächer by Ina Dimireva — last modified 08 April 2010, 00:12 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed creation of a joint venture by the German companies Bosch, Deutz and Eberspächer.

EC greenlights aid for UK farmers by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2010, 23:41 CET

The European Commission has authorised a temporary scheme granting aid of up to EUR 15,000 to British farmers.

Mergers: Commission clears Cisco's proposed acquisition of Tandberg, subject to conditions by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2010, 17:39 CET

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Tandberg, a vendor of videoconferencing products with dual headquarters in Norway and in the US, by Cisco of the US. The approval is conditional.

Mergers: Commission approves the acquisition of an IBM Corp unit by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2010, 17:40 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition by Dassault Systèmes of France of a unit of IBM Corp of the United States that currently distributes its Product Life Management (PLM) software products.

EU ends antitrust investigation into Baltic shipping pact by Ina Dimireva — last modified 29 March 2010, 16:40 CET

The European Commission has closed an investigation into a potential breach of EU competition rules in the planned "Baltic Max Feeder" scheme for "feeder" vessel owners since the scheme was abandoned.

Lithuania withdraws proposed regulation on telecoms by Ina Dimireva — last modified 26 March 2010, 11:34 CET

On 16 March 2010 the Lithuanian Authority, Ryšių reguliavimo tarnyba (RRT), informed the European Commission that it was withdrawing its proposed measure on network infrastructure access markets. The Commission had earlier this month raised serious doubts about the compatibility of the proposed regulation with the principles of EU competition law.

Commission approves acquisition of Edscha by Gestamp Automoción by Ina Dimireva — last modified 20 March 2010, 00:32 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the hinge and control systems unit of Edscha AG of Germany by Gestamp Automoción S.L. of Spain.

EU green light for Slovenian short-term export-credit insurance scheme by Ina Dimireva — last modified 18 March 2010, 23:09 CET

The European Commission has authorised, under EU state aid rules, a measure adopted by Slovenia to limit the adverse impact of the current financial crisis on export firms.

Polish phone company loses Court challenge by Leopold Gasteen — last modified 16 March 2010, 10:33 CET

The European Court of Justice has ruled against Poland's largest phone company, Telekomunikacja Polska SA, in a challenge to Polish national legislation that blocks service providers from binding customers to combined sales contracts.