France: Trade Regulation & Practices

Le tribunal correctionnel de Lons-le-Saunier a prononcé, fin 2017 et pour la première fois, une peine d'emprisonnement avec sursis dans un contexte d'application de la loi anti-cadeaux.

At the end of 2017, the Lons-le-Saunier Criminal Court pronounced a conditional sentence for the first time in the context of the application of the anti-gifts law.

French legislation known as the Sapin II bill will change the legal framework for prevention and prosecution of corruption in France after its anticipated adoption by the end of the year. The final text has not yet been authorized, but the new provisions will most likely require, for the first time, companies that conduct business in France to implement anti-corruption compliance programs.

On 16 June 2011, the French Court of Cassation (the 'Court') quashed the order made by the Paris Court of Appeal requesting an expert report on the methods for seizing and storing electronic data found during dawn raids.

On 5 April 2011, the French Competition Authority (the 'Authority') published a commitments proposal for the Bank Cards Group (the 'Group') which has the aim of decreasing most inter-bank fees on card payments.

On 8 March 2011 the French Competition Authority (the 'Authority') issued an opinion (the 'Opinion') on the competitive aspects of the broadband and very high broadband wholesale markets.

On 30 June 2010, the French Competition Authority (the "Authority") stated that Google had implemented the content policy of its online advertising service, AdWords, in a way which lacked objectivity and transparency and resulted in discriminatory treatment.

On 29 June 2010, the Paris Court of Appeal (the "Court") annulled a cartel fine imposed on a railway maintenance firm, Offroy, because the French Competition Authority (the "Authority") lacked sufficient evidence to prove that the company had taken part in a cartel.

On 30 June 2010, the French Competition Authority (the "Authority") stated that Google has implemented the content policy of its online advertising service, AdWords, in a way which lacked objectivity and transparency and resulted in discriminatory treatment.