On September 14, 2024, China’s SAMR published streamlined notification and publicity forms for cases reviewed under its simplified merger review procedure (“Simple Cases”). The revised forms will take effect as of October 12, 2024.
The French Competition Authority clears the acquisition of Kindred Group by La Française des Jeux, subject to brand separation and other commitments to address conglomerate concerns
On September 13, 2024, the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) approved the acquisition of Kindred Group (“Kindred”) by La Française des Jeux (“FDJ”, the “Transaction”) in the gambling sector, subject to behavioural commitments, including brand separation, to address conglomerate concerns.[1]
Innovation, Resilience, Investment, and Scale: Draghi’s Vision for the Future of European Competitiveness[1]
On September 9, 2024, Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank and former Italian Prime Minister, presented his report on the Future of European Competitiveness (the “Report”), with the objective to inform the work of the incoming Commission. Featured in President von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines issued in July,[2] and in several mission letters for the new Commissioners, the Report revived the debate concerning the competitiveness of EU companies in global markets.
The European Commission Unveils Key Findings on EU Antitrust Enforcement Framework and Interim Measures Report
On September 5, 2024, the European Commission (“Commission”) published a Staff Working Document[1] summarizing the outcome of an evaluation of Regulations 1/2003 and 77/2004, which govern the procedural framework for enforcing EU competition rules under Articles 101 and 102 TFEU (“EU Antitrust Enforcement Framework”). On the same day, the Commission adopted a report on the use of interim measures by National Competition Authorities (“NCAs”).[2]
Antitrust Review Episode 30: In Conversation with Martijn Snoep
In the latest instalment of Cleary Gottlieb’s Antitrust Review podcast, host Nick Levy is joined by Martijn Snoep, Chair of
The Paris Court of Appeals states that granting a stay of execution involves analyzing only the “manifestly excessive consequences” of a sanction imposed, and not its merits in Bisphenol A case
In a decision dated July 24, 2024,[1] the Paris Court of Appeals granted a stay of execution in relation to a €2,700,000 fine imposed on the Association Nationale des Industries Alimentaires (“ANIA”) by the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) in the Bisphenol A case only considering the manifestly excessive consequences of such sanction in view of ANIA’s financial situation and without examining its merits.
Antitrust Review Episode 27: In Conversation With Sir John Vickers
In our latest installment, host Nick Levy is joined by Sir John Vickers, Warden of Oxford University’s All Souls College
Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act: A Game-Changer for UK Consumer Protection
The Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers (DMCC) Act, which passed on 23 May 2024, will introduce significant reforms to UK competition and consumer protection law and digital regulation (see our update summarising the main changes). In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the Act’s overhaul of the UK consumer protection regime.
FCO Continues Rare but Strict Enforcement of Resale Price Maintenance Prohibition
On June 10, 2024, the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) imposed fines of almost €16 million on AVM Computersysteme Vertriebs GmbH (“AVM”) and one of its staff representatives for vertical price fixing (so-called Resale Price Maintenance or “RPM”) with six electronics retailers.[1]
UK Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Bill Passed By Parliament
UK Becomes Fourth Jurisdiction to Introduce Dedicated Digital Platform Regulation, with More Jurisdictions Likely to Follow
On 23 May, the UK Parliament passed the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill. The new DMCC Act will bring about some of the most significant reforms to competition and consumer protection law in the UK in decades. Among other major reforms, it introduces a dedicated regime that provides for specific conduct rules for large digital platforms. The UK therefore becomes the fourth jurisdiction—after the EU with its Digital Market Act (DMA), Germany with its s.19A rules, and Japan with its new smartphone bill (also passed on 23 May)—to introduce rules that target a handful of the largest digital firms.[1]