The European Court of Justice has ruled that German State sports gambling monopolies are unjustifiable because they do not “consistently and systematically” confront risks involved in gambling. The monopolies were held to violate EU law because their advertising campaigns pursued maximum profits rather than the public interest reason for their monopoly status, combating crime or gambling addiction.
Category Archives: EU News
Another Guilty Plea in DOJ Air Cargo Cartel Probe
October 1, 2010 – 11:25 am
Update October 2010: Six international freight forwarding companies have agreed to pay criminal fines in the U.S. case totaling $50.3 million. Update July 2010:Northwest Airlines, now part of Delta, has plead guilty and agreed to pay a $38 million fine and assist in the on-going investigation. Delta stressed that the illegal conduct occurred before it […]
EC Investigates Paper Envelope Manufacturers
September 15, 2010 – 9:01 am
The EC has inspected the premises of seven paper envelope manufacturers in Denmark, France, and Spain. The Commission is investigating possible price fixing and customer division agreements. The names of the targets were not released.
EC Investigating Marine Insurance Providers
August 31, 2010 – 2:57 pm
The EC is investigating a network of ship insurers known as the International Group of Proection & Indemnity Clubs exploring concerns about claim-sharing and joint-reinsurance agreements. The EC announced that it would look into whether the organization’s agreements with member insurers restrains competition. The investigation was triggered by the expiration of an exemption applicable to insurance agreement […]
EC Raids Polyurethane Foam Manufacturers
August 17, 2010 – 10:33 am
In late July, the EC conducted unannounced inspections of several polyurethane foam manufacturers, marking the first step toward investigating anticompetitive conduct in the industry.
EC Fines Animal Feed Producers
August 16, 2010 – 2:39 pm
The European Commission fined six chemical manufacturers nearly 176 million Euros for fixing the price of animal feed phosphates during a three decade long cartel.
ECJ Upholds Fine Against Plasterboard Cartel Participant
August 12, 2010 – 2:05 pm
The ECJ affirmed an 85.8 million Euro fine against Knauf Gips for its alleged role in a plasterboard cartel, which was part of 478 million Euros in fines placed on four companies.
EU General Court Upholds Fine for Blocking Generic Drug Market Entry
August 12, 2010 – 2:00 pm
The EU General Court upheld the EC’s 2005 decision to fine AstraZeneca for abusing the patent system to delay they market entry of generic competitors for its ulcer drug Losec. The court reduced the fine from 60 euro to 53 euro, finding that the evidence was insufficient to prove wrong-doing in Denmark and Norway.
EC Imposes Fines in Animal Feed Cartel Case
July 26, 2010 – 2:33 pm
The EC fined animal feed phosphates producers for operating a three-decade cartel covering much of the EU. Animal feed phosphates are chemicals used in feed for cattle, pigs, poultry, fish and pets All but one company settled, receiving a 10% fine reduction. This was the first cartel case settlement where the EC followed both the settlement and ordinary procedures.
EC Closes Investigation of Major Airline Joint Venture
July 26, 2010 – 2:27 pm
The EC closed its investigation into the British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia, joint venture, concluding that commitments that the airlines offered were sufficient to alleviate the anticompetitive concerns. The parties pledged to make landing and take-off slots available at London Heathrow airport to facilitate the entry or expansion of competitors on routes between London and several major US airports.