Joint Conduct

French enforcer fines but allows exclusivity in overseas territory

France’s Competition Authority has fined two biomedical companies for operating an exclusive distribution scheme in French Guiana – but permitted the arrangement to continue, due to the specialised nature of distributing medical devices overseas.

French enforcer dismisses Canal Plus’ abuse claim

France’s Competition Authority has allowed incumbent television broadcasters to include the rights of first and last refusal in contracts to finance French-language films.

European enforcers raid French supermarkets

EU and French competition enforcers have searched French grocery retailers, as part of a probe reportedly targeting a joint purchasing alliance between Casino and Intermarché.

French enforcer fines but allows exclusivity in overseas territory

French enforcer dismisses Canal Plus’ abuse claim

European enforcers raid French supermarkets

GCR USA

A song of Blizzard and Sunshine: The Tipline for 24 June 2019

Even without the Department of Justice in the room, the hearing on Friday on states’ challenge to T-Mobile/Sprint displayed a concentration of antitrust minds. The litigation in Manhattan federal court now features 14 state attorneys general and counsel from eight different law firms. Judge Victor Marrero noted that the proceedings pit opposing forces of nature against each other, as Keker & Van Nest partner Paula Blizzard argued for the state plaintiffs against defence counsel Steven Sunshine at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. Sunshine said a settlement between the merging companies and the DOJ is imminent, and that all parties should be ready to go for a 7 October trial. Blizzard said the terms of that settlement – specifically whether the agency finds a need for fourth major competitor – could put the agreed-upon schedule in flux.

Congress should return to active role in antitrust, Cicilline says

Congress should play an active role in antitrust enforcement and competition policy, the chairman of the House of Representatives’ antitrust subcommittee said on Thursday.

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Features

Pay-for-delay ruling exposes uncertainty in EU law

The Paroxetine judgment in the UK highlights a slew of questions that the EU courts have yet to resolve about patent settlements, and takes issue with the UK competition enforcer’s reasoning on market definitions. Tom Webb scrutinises the ruling

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Conference coverage

Enforcers say more evidence needed on algorithms

Etienne Pfister, chief economist at France’s Competition Authority, said more empirical evidence is needed to determine whether and how the use of online pricing algorithms could potentially violate competition law, and warned regulation and oversight of such pricing programs will be costly. Janith Aranze at GCR Live 6th Annual Telecoms, Media & Technology in Brussels

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