Update May 2010: Manuli Ruber Industries and Sumitomo Rubber Industries have agreed to pay fines of $4.5 million and $250,000, respectively, and to cooperate with the plaintiffs in on going litigation to settle claims that they participated in the marine hose price fixing conspiracy. These deals leave only two companies remaining in the multidistrict litigation. […]
Category Archives: EU News
EC Inspects Wiring Harness Manufacturers
March 18, 2010 – 1:46 pm
On February 24, 2010, the European Commission conducted unannounced inspections at the premises of wiring harness companies for cars and other electrical distribution systems. The Commission is coordinating with other antitrust investigators.
Microsoft – Yahoo Partnership is Given an Unrestricted Green Light
March 14, 2010 – 1:57 pm
Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. have received the green light from U.S. and European antitrust officials to move forward with their search advertisement partnership, which is intended to take on search engine leader Google Inc., without imposing any restrictions. The 10-year partnership will allow Microsoft to power Yahoo’s search engine, while Yahoo will become the […]
DOJ Permits Ticketmaster/Live Nation Merger to Move Forward With Divestitures
February 26, 2010 – 12:19 pm
Update February 2010: The UK enforcement authorities have withdraw their prior approval and are reconsidering the merger. The Department of Justice agreed not to challenge the Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger upon the condition that Ticketmaster would license ticketing software to AEG, enabling that company to offer a competitive ticketing alternative and provides the incentive for it […]
EC Investigates Freight Forwarding Industry
February 10, 2010 – 10:40 am
The European Commission issued a Statement of Objections to air freight forwarding companies concerning their alleged participation in price-fixing cartels. These companies transport goods and provide related services such as customs clearance, warehousing and ground services. The companies involved were not identified.
EC Investigating Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems Industry
February 3, 2010 – 5:05 pm
The European Commission confirmed has inspected the premises of producers of Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS). This equipment is used to increase the power transfer capability of electricity transmission networks. The EC is concerned about possible cartel activities. The specific parties involved have not been disclosed.
EC Investigates Shipping Industry Practice with Respect to Feeder Vessels
January 20, 2010 – 10:40 am
The European Commission is formally investigating a shipping industry practice know as the “Baltic Max Feeder” scheme in which European ship owners collectively agree to cover the costs of removing feeder vessels from service. The EC may believe that the scheme reduces capacity and thus increases charter rates for these ships.
EC Examining Reverse Payment Settlements
January 13, 2010 – 11:05 am
The EC has requested information from to pharmaceutical companies, including copies of patent settlement agreements affecting the EU between originator and generic pharmaceutical companies from July 1, 2008, to December 31, 2009. The Commission is focused on situations in which the pioneer company a potential generic competitor in return for delaying the market entry of a generic drug.
EC Investigating Lundbeck Regarding Generic Drug Entry
January 11, 2010 – 1:08 pm
The EC is investigating Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck to determine whether it took improper actions intended to hinder the entry of generic citalopram, and anti-depressant drug, into European markets.