IN THE NEWS

European Commission imposes record fines of €1.47 billion on producers of TV and computer monitor tubes for two decade-long cartels

The European Commission has fined seven international groups of companies €1.47 billion for participating in cartels in the cathode ray tubes sector. The Commission found that between 1996 and 2006 the companies fixed prices, shared markets, allocated customers, restricted their output and exchanged commercially sensitive information. One of the companies received full immunity from fines. The combined fines for the two cartels are the highest cartel fines ever imposed by the Commission (beating the EUR1.38 billion fines imposed in 2008 in the car glass cartel). Click here.

European Commission opens Article 102 proceedings against Bulgarian Energy

The European Commission has opened formal proceedings to investigate whether Bulgarian Energy Holding may be abusing its dominant market position in the wholesale electricity market in Bulgaria through the use of territorial restrictions. The Commission is investigating certain provisions in electricity supply agreements which it considers restrict where customers can resell electricity. Click here

EU

Article 101

  • The General Court has published an order for interim measures as part of Alstom's appeal against a decision of the European Commission to transmit to the High Court certain documents submitted by Alstom during the Commission's investigation of the gas insulated switchgear cartel. The High Court is hearing a follow-on damages action in relation to the cartel. The General Court has ordered that the operation of the Commission's decision should be suspended pending final determination of Alstom's appeal. Click here.
  • The General Court has dismissed the appeal by Groupement des Cartes Bancaires against the European Commission decision finding that it had breached Article 101 by adopting pricing practices that hindered the ability of member banks to issue cards at competitive rates. Click here.

UK

Competition Appeal Tribunal

  • The CAT has published a notice of a second damages claim against Tessenderlo Chemie for damages resulting from the European Commission's animal feed phosphates cartel decision. Click here.

Competition Commission

  • The Competition Commission is inviting evidence on an application by FirstGroup to withdraw one bus service and modify three others in the Glasgow operating area. The services are covered by undertakings given by FirstGroup in 2004 when it took over the Scottish rail franchise. These undertakings include limits on FirstGroup's ability to make changes to routes and frequencies. The OFT's advice is that there has been a change of circumstances which may warrant a change to the undertakings. Click here.

Office of Fair Trading

  • The OFT is consulting on the divestment undertakings offered by the Midcounties Co-operative Limited in relation to its completed acquisition of Tuffin Investments Limited. Click here.

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