Competition Policy in the EU
Latest news on competition policy in the European Union.
European anti-trust fines between predictability and unpredictability - the recent case of the detergent cartel
Companies and the scientific community have long criticized the Commission for its unpredictability when it comes to the calculation of anti-trust fines. At last week’s International Conference on Competition in Berlin the current EU Commissioner for Competition Joaquin Almunia announced that he was committed to further increase the transparency of his agency’s methods of calculation. Despite the intended changes the recent fines levied against the three leading producers of detergents in Europe – Henkel, Unilever and Procter & Gamble – shows that the calculation of European anti-trust fines remains to a large degree unpredictable.
EU Consultation on the future Commission Guidelines for State aid in the context of the amended EU Emissions Trading Scheme
The purpose of this consultation is to invite EU Member States and stakeholders to express their views on the issue of financial support for indirect emission costs. The European Commission intends to adopt new State aid Guidelines that will define the detailed compatibility criteria of state aid measures with the internal market.
EPO Official Journal January 2011
The Official Journal of the EPO contains notices and information of a general character issued by the President of the European Patent Office, as well as any other information relevant to the EPC or its implementation.
E.on's EUR 38m fine upheld by General Court
The General Court has upheld a fine originally imposed by the Commission on E.on AG for having tampered with a seal affixed to one of E.on's offices which was being used for internal investigation.
Contact lens law is clarified by EU Court
Banning the sale of contact lenses on the Internet on the grounds of consumer health is disproportionate to consumer health requirements, the European Court of Justice has ruled.
EU slaps Deutsche Telekom with EUR 12.6m fine
The European Court of Justice has upheld a fine of EUR 12.6 million originally imposed by the Commission in 2003 for anti competitive behaviour in the German internal market.
EU okays funding mechanism for France Télévisions
The European Commission has approved the annual funding mechanism for France Télévisions, which is deemed to comply with the European Union's state aid rules.
EU approves Swedish scheme supporting newspapers
The European Commission has concluded that a changed regime to support newspapers in Sweden is now in line under EU state aid rules.
EU greenlights state aid for high speed internet in Estonia
The European Commission has authorised under the EU State aid rules Estonia's plans to support the establishment of a country wide high speed broadband infrastructure, the EstWin project.
Sky Italia can participate in allocation of TV frequencies in Italy: EU
The European Commission has authorised Sky Italia, the Italian subsidiary of Newscorp, to participate in the future tender for the allocation of nationwide digital terrestrial television frequencies in Italy.
EU approves the acquisition of Giraud by French Geodis
The European Commission has approved, in accordance with the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition by Geodis, which belongs to the SNCF group, of sole control of Giraud, an international road freight group.
EU okays acquisition of French IMS by Jacquet Metals
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the French IMS International Metal Service by the Belgian JSA SA, the holding company of Jacquet Metals of France, both active in the distribution of steel products throughout the EU.
Car prices reports
The European Commission has published a six-monthly car price report since 1992. From May 2007 the report is published once a year. This initiative was launched following numerous complaints from consumers about differences in car prices between Member States and obstacles placed in the way of those consumers that wished to buy in another EU country. The car price report, which is based on standardised data provided by vehicle manufacturers, provides manufacturers’ recommended prices for about 80 car models of 27 different brands. Prices are given both excluding and including taxes, together with prices for the major options and right-hand-drive supplements.
EU approves acquisition of Privileg Rights by Whirlpool
The European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Privileg trademark and other rights by Whirlpool of the US.
EU approves acquisition of Millipore by Merck
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Millipore, a US-based life science group of companies by the German pharmaceutical and chemical company Merck.
EU approves UK pension scheme NEST
The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules the establishment of an occupational pension scheme in the UK, branded NEST, in the UK to ensure that all employees have access to an affordable pension vehicle.
EU approves acquisition of Círculo by Spanish media group Planeta
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition by the Spanish media group Planeta of joint control of the Spanish book club Círculo, currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann.
EU moves a step closer to a Single Patent
The European Commission presented today a proposal on translation arrangements for a future EU Patent, the final element needed for a single EU Patent to become a reality.
EU approves Total's partial acquisition of Polimeri of Belgium
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed sale of Polimeri's polystyrene business at Feluy, Belgium, to Total Petrochemicals Feluy S.A.
