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competitionlaw

Antitrust, Competition and Trade

Google Shopping: The Saga Continues

Following an antitrust investigation, in 2017 the European Commission had fined Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. a record €2.4 billion for abuse of Google’s dominant position. In brief, it found that Google was self-preferencing, by presenting results from its own Google Shopping first upon a so called “Google search”. On appeal to the General Court, the fine was confirmed in 2021. The General Court only accepted part of Google and Alphabet’s argument, namely that there was no negative anti-competitive effect on the market for general search services. Google and Alphabet further appealed the General Court’s judgment to the Court of…
Annalies Muscat
12th January 2024
Antitrust, Competition and Trade

New Horizontal Block Exemptions and Guidelines Adopted

The European Commission has adopted revised Horizontal Block Exemption Regulations on research and development agreements and specialisation agreements, as well as revised Horizontal Guidelines. This follows a thorough review of the existent rules. The aim is to provide businesses, as well as their advisors, with clearer and updated guidance in order to assist with the self-assessment of horizontal agreements – that is agreements with competitors – with the competition rules. The Block Exemptions will enter into force on 1 July 2023. The revised Guidelines notably contain reference to recent case law as well as take into account current business and…
Annalies Muscat
12th July 2023
On 18 April 2023, the European Commission confirmed that it has started unannounced inspections at various companies in the fashion sector across Europe.
Antitrust, Competition and Trade

European Commission Raids Fashion Companies Across Europe

The European Commission has confirmed that it has started dawn raids at the premises of companies operating in the fashion industry in several Member States. Officers from national competition authorities accompanied Commission officials at these inspections. The Commission has also sent out formal requests for information to such companies. The Commission clarified that it is concerned that these companies are in breach of Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which prohibits cartels and other restrictive arrangements, however no further details were forthcoming from the Commission at this stage. Unannounced inspections – or “dawn raids”…
Annalies Muscat
3rd May 2023
Call for evidence on Block Exemption for liner shipping operators
Antitrust, Competition and TradeLegal Updates

Call for Evidence on Block Exemption for Liner Shipping Operators

The European Commission has opened a call for evidence until 3 October 2022 with regards to the “Consortia Block Exemption Regulation”. This block exemption allows liner shipping operators to cooperate in the provision of services. The block exemption will expire on 25 April 2024. The call for evidence is intended to assess how well the block exemption has functioned since it was last extended in 2020. The call for evidence may be accessed here : https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13519-EU-competition-law-evaluation-of-the-Consortia-Block-Exemption-Regulation_en Disclaimer: This document does not purport to give legal, financial or tax advice. Should you require further information or legal assistance, please do not…
Mamo TCV Advocates
29th September 2022
Last few days of the public consultation on the Motor Vehicles Block Exemption
Legal Updates

Last few days of the Public Consultation on the Motor Vehicles Block Exemption

In July 2022, the European Commission launched a public consultation on its draft proposals for the future of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (‘MVBER’) regime. The proposals include (i) a draft Regulation prolonging the validity of the existing MVBER for five years and (ii) a draft Communication introducing targeted updates to the Supplementary Guidelines. Comments may be submitted by the 30 September 2022. The draft rules follow a review process launched In December 2018 and provide that the MVBER expires on 31 May 2023. This was done with the aim of gathering evidence on the functioning of the rules…
Mamo TCV Advocates
27th September 2022