In our latest instalment, host Nick Levy speaks with George Cary, one of the leading U.S. antitrust lawyers of his
No “killer acquisition” – FCO allows acquisition of Shockwave Medical by Johnson & Johnson
On 27 May 2024, the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) gave the green light for Johnson & Johnson’s (“J&J”) 13.1 billion US dollar acquisition of Shockwave Medical (“Shockwave”).[1] The decision follows an in-depth investigation into the acquisition’s potential impact on competition and innovation, particularly in the burgeoning field of cardiovascular disease treatment, one of the fastest‑growing global med-tech markets.
Westfälische Drahtindustrie and Others v. Commission (Case C-70/23 P): The Court of Justice Confirms European Courts Do Not Have The Power To Impose New Fines
On July 4, 2024, the Court of Justice delivered its judgment in the Westfälische Drahtindustrie and Others v. Commission case,[1] addressing Westfälische Drahindustrie GmbH’s (“WDI”) challenge to the Commission’s request for interest payments on the fine imposed on WDI for its participation in a cartel in the prestressing steel sector. This judgment confirms that interest on fines levied by the Commission begins to accrue from the day indicated in the Commission’s decision, even if the EU courts later redetermine the amount of the fine.
Lufthansa/ITA: A New Era of Stringent Airline Merger Remedies
On July 3, 2024, the Commission conditionally approved Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s (“Lufthansa”) and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance’s (“MEF”) joint control of ITA Airways (“ITA”). [1] The approval is contingent upon full compliance with the commitments.
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.
Jérôme Vidal is the new Head of the Mergers Unit at the French Competition Authority
Jérôme Vidal was appointed head of the mergers unit of the French Competition Authority (“FCA”), effective June 17, 2024. Jérôme Vidal succeeds Etienne Chantrel who had held this position since January 2017.
The EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation in Practice: First Cases and Enforcement Trends
Almost eight months since taking full effect, the EU’s enforcement agenda for the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) is coming into focus. The European Commission (EC) has launched several in-depth and ex officio cases, and reviewed over 150 notifications.
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]