In the latest episode of Cleary Gottlieb’s Antitrust Review podcast, a panel of Cleary Gottlieb experts unpack the EU’s landmark Digital Markets Act, explaining its scope and implications for the world’s leading digital platforms.
The French Competition Authority rejects TDF’s request to lift commitments prior to their end date
On December 6, 2022, the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) issued a decision rejecting TDF’s request to lift the commitments it had entered into in 2015 regarding abuse of dominance practices on the market for hosting mobile network antennas on pylon sites (the “Decision”).[1] The FCA rejected this request due to lack of evidence that the competition concerns identified in 2015 have disappeared.
FCO Prohibits Lufthansa From Terminating Feeder Flights For Condor
After publishing its preliminary finding in February 2022[1], the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) recently prohibited the Deutsche Lufthansa AG group (“Lufthansa”) from terminating longstanding cooperation agreements with Condor Flugdienst GmbH (“Condor”).[2] Under the cooperation agreements, Lufthansa is obliged to provide feeder flights to Condor’s long-haul passengers.
Antitrust Review Episode 5: In Conversation With Olivier Guersent
In this episode of Cleary Gottlieb’s Antitrust Review podcast, host Nick Levy is joined by Olivier Guersent, Director-General of the EC’s Directorate-General for Competition.
Digital Services Act Published in the EU Official Journal
On October 27, 2022, the Digital Services Act (“DSA”) was published in the Official Journal of the EU, marking its formal adoption.[1] The DSA sets out new rules that apply to the distribution of user-generated online content. Unlike the DMA, which seeks to ensure the contestability of digital markets, the DSA seeks to improve user safety online and ensure accountability of platforms for the content that they transmit, host or publicly disseminate.
The Commission Encourages Immunity & Leniency Applications Through A “No-Name” Basis Engagement And “Hypothetical” Immunity/Leniency Applications
On October 25, 2022, the Commission published additional guidance on its Leniency Policy in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) to further encourage companies to seek immunity or leniency from cartel fines.[1]
Advocate General Sides with Commission in its Appeal of General Court’s Overturning of Three/O2 Prohibition
Non-binding opinion finds that General Court erred in applying heightened standard of proof to cases involving unilateral effects in oligopolistic markets.
The Council of State Confirms the Annulment of an ICA Decision on an Abuse of Dominance in the Market for Ticketing Services for Live Pop Music Concerts
On October 24, 2022, the Council of State[1] confirmed on appeal the annulment of a 2020 decision, by which the ICA had imposed a fine on CTS Eventim-TicketOne Group (“TicketOne”) for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the Italian market for the provision of ticketing services for pop music concerts.[2]
General Court Partially Annuls European Commission Decision in Google Android
In September 2022, the General Court partially annulled the European Commission’s 2018 Google Android decision, which fined Google €4.3 billion for abuses of dominance relating to apps it offers for its Android mobile operating system (“OS”).[1] The Court also found that the Commission’s investigation suffered from procedural errors. It reduced the fine by €200 million.
For the first time, the French Competition Authority rejects a compliant on grounds of enforcement priority
On October 20, 2022, for the first time, the French Competition Authority used its newly-acquired ability to reject a claim on the basis of enforcement priority and rejected Culture Presse’s claim in relation to an alleged abuse of a dominant position by La Poste in respect of postal stamps distribution.[1] Since the transposition into French law of the ECN+ Directive[2] and pursuant to the second paragraph of Article L. 462-8 of the French Commercial Code, the Competition Authority no longer has an obligation to investigate, and may now, by way of a reasoned decision, reject a complaint where it is not considered an enforcement priority.