On May 20, 2019, the Italian Competition Authority (the “ICA”) issued a decision in the merger control proceedings opened in connection with Sky Italia S.r.l.’s (“SKY”) acquisition of control over R2 S.r.l. (the “Decision”).[1] Owned by Mediaset Premium S.p.A. (“MP”), R2 S.r.l. (“R2”) provides technical and administrative platform services for broadcasting by means of Digital Terrestrial Television (“DTT”).
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The Commission and the Belgian Competition Authority Simulataneously Raid French and Belgian Grocery Retailers
By Cleary Gottlieb on
On May 20, 2019, the Commission carried out dawn raids at the premises of two grocery retailers in France, Casino and Intermarché-Les Mousquetaires.[1] On the same day, the Belgian Competition Authority raided Carrefour and Provera, a joint purchasing venture of grocery retailers Cora, Match, and Louis Delhaize. Although the two series of dawn raids occurred simultaneously, the Commission’s press release leaves open whether the raids were coordinated.
UK Trucks Claim v Fiat Chrysler and Others; Road Haulage Association v Man SE and Others
By Cleary Gottlieb on
On 17 May 2019, hearings regarding collective proceedings orders (“CPOs”) in two collective damages actions (also “Trucks” cases) were adjourned…
British Steel/Ascoval
By Cleary Gottlieb on
On May 17, 2019, the French Competition Authority (the “FCA”) unconditionally approved the acquisition of Ascoval by the British Steel group. Ascoval is a steel mill specialized in the production and supply of semi-finished steel products that are necessary for the production of finished steel products. British Steel is a European steel manufacturer that is active in the production of both semi-finished and finished steel products. Given the limited overlap between the Parties’ activities, the FCA did not identify any horizontal or vertical competition concerns arising from the transaction.
The French Conseil Constitutionnel Invalidates the Provisions of the PACTE Law Empowering the Government to Transpose the ECN+ Directive Into French Law
By Cleary Gottlieb on
On May 16, 2019, the French Conseil constitutionnel validated most of the provisions of the law on business growth and transformation (“loi relative à la croissance et la transformation des entreprises” or “PACTE law”), but deemed that the provisions relating to the transposition of the ECN+ directive into French law violated the Constitution.
The Conseil Constitutionnel Validates Provisions Enabling the French Competition Authority to Request Access to Telephone Data From Companies’ Employees
By Cleary Gottlieb on
On May 16, 2019, the Conseil Constitutionnel issued a decision on the conformity with the French Constitution of various provisions of the Law on the growth and the transformation of companies (“Loi Pacte”).[1] The Conseil censured several provisions of that law for the lack of connection with the initial bill. These included in particular Article 211, which provided the Government with the power to transpose the directive ECN+ into French law, and adopt various measures meant to strengthen the efficiency of procedures implemented by the FCA.
The Commission Fines Five Banks Over €1 Billion for Participating in Two Foreign Exchange Spot Trading Cartels
By Cleary Gottlieb on
On May 16, 2019,[1] the Commission announced that it had adopted two settlement decisions implicating a total of six banks and confirming their participation in two separate foreign exchange spot trading cartels in breach of Article 101 TFEU.
The General Court Dismisses Recylex’s Appeal Against Buyer Cartels Fine
By Cleary Gottlieb on
On May 14, 2019, the General Court dismissed Recylex’s application for annulment of a Commission decision that imposed a fine on Recylex for its participation in a buyer cartel in the battery recycling sector.[1]
Commission Opens Investigation Into Data Sharing by Irish Industry Association
By Cleary Gottlieb on
On May 14, 2019, the Commission announced the opening of an investigation into Insurance Ireland, an industry association of Irish insurers that includes Allianz, Hertz, Liberty, AIG, and AXA. Insurance Ireland is suspected of impeding prospective members’ access to its “Insurance Link” data pool.[1]
The Commission Fines Ab Inbev €200 Million for Abusing Its Dominance on the Belgian Beer Market by Restricting Cross-border Sales
By Cleary Gottlieb on
On May 13, 2019, the Commission fined AB InBev €200 million for abusing its dominant position on the Belgian beer market by restricting the ability of Belgian customers to purchase cheaper products from the neighboring Netherlands between February 9, 2009, and October 31, 2016.[1] The Commission’s investigation commenced on June 30, 2016, just a month after it had concluded an in-depth examination of several EU beer markets, including Belgium, in its merger review of AB InBev/SABMiller (“SABMiller Decision”).[2]