Focus Antitrust - 7 February 2018
In The News
European Commission fines Qualcomm €997 million for abuse of dominance
The European Commission has fined Qualcomm €997m for abuse of a dominant market position in LTE baseband chipsets. The Commission found that Qualcomm prevented rivals from competing in the market by making significant payments to a key customer (Apple) on condition it would not buy from rivals. Click here.
CMA issues provisional findings on Electro Rent/Microlease merger
The CMA has provisionally found that Electro Rent's purchase of Microlease is likely to have adverse effects on competition for renters of testing and measurement equipment. The CMA is now inviting comments on both its provisional findings and its possible remedies, which include selling part or all of one of the merged companies. Click here.
European Commission approves Discovery's acquisition of Scripps subject to conditions
The European Commission has approved the proposed acquisition of Scripps by Discovery. The clearance is conditional on Discovery making its Polish news channel TVN24 (and its sister channel TVN24 Bis) available to current and future TV distributors in Poland for a reasonable fee determined by reference to comparable agreements. This commitment will remain in place for a period of seven years. Click here.
EU
Articles 101 and 102
- The ECJ has dismissed the appeals against the fines imposed by the European Commission on a number of companies for their participation in cartels in the international air freight forwarding services sector. Click here.
Mergers
- The European Commission has accepted a request from Austria, France, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden to assess under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Shazam by Apple. The Commission considers the transaction may threaten adversely to affect competition in the EEA. Click here.
This article was written by Paul Stone. For more information, contact Paul on +44 (0)20 7203 5110 or at paul.stone@crsblaw.com.
Our thinking
Natalie Batra
ITV takes the plunge and “couples up” with Ebay to dress love island contestants in pre-loved clothing
Grégoire Uldry
New Swiss succession law on the transfer of businesses
On 10 June 2022, the Federal Council adopted its Message amending the Civil Code on the transfer of businesses by succession.
Louise Paterson
Artnet quotes Louise Paterson on the Ivory Act
UK’s Ivory Act comes into force
Pei Li Kew
Pei Li Kew writes for Pharmacy Business on the link between pharmacy and IP
Pei Li Kew writes for Pharmacy Business on the link between pharmacy and IP
Jonathan McDonald
Jonathan McDonald provides comment for City AM on the Data Reform Bill announced in the Queen's Speech
Jonathan McDonald provides comment for City AM on the Data Reform Bill announced in the Queen's Speech
Nick White
Charles Russell Speechlys advises Symphony Holdings Limited on the sale of its PONY trade mark portfolio for USD $28 million
Charles Russell Speechlys advises Symphony Holdings Limited on the sale of its PONY trade mark portfolio for USD $28 million.
Simon Ridpath
Simon Ridpath featured in the Lawyer’s Hot 100 list
Simon Ridpath features in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 list
Natalie Batra
Patents and Peppa Pig: What is happening to intellectual property rights in Russia?
Certain Russian individuals and businesses can now use patents, utility models and industrial designs without obtaining prior permission.
Simon Green
International Bar Association quotes Simon Green on the future of the legal sector in Hong Kong
International Bar Association quote Simon Green on the future of Hong Kong's legal sector
Charlotte Duly
Charlotte Duly quoted in Retail Gazette on House of Zana trademark dispute
Charlotte Duly quoted in Retail Gazette on House of Zana trademark dispute
Caroline Greenwell
Nowhere to hide for greenwashing brands
In the UK, regulators are cracking down, with many companies now at risk of financial and other penalties.
Jamie Cartwright
Weighing up the Plastic Packaging Tax
The Plastic Packaging Tax came into force on 1 April 2022.
Jamie Cartwright
Crunching numbers - Mandatory calorie laws come into force
The Calorie Labelling (Out of Home Sector) (England) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) are now in force.
Jody MacDonald
Liverpool FC’s Hero Club and the current state of play with football NFTs
Liverpool’s Hero Club hit the headlines this week and serves as an interesting reflection of the current state of play.
Rachel Bell
Rachel Bell commented in IT Pro on the implications of the proposed EU’s Digital Markets Act
The proposed EU’s Digital Markets Act is set to require larger messaging platforms to interoperate with their smaller rivals.
Quentin de la Bastide
Constructing a Blue-print for Electronic Execution – New Guidance from the Industry Working Group on the Electronic Execution of Documents
Sonia Kenawy
Claimant ordered to pay security for costs in cryptocurrency dispute and digital assets rejected as form of security
Proceedings that are sure to be watched closely by the cryptocurrency community as well as legal practitioners.
Stewart Hey
Freezing Orders: Policing the Nuclear Option (PT 2)
Looking at the impact these checks and balances have when it comes to drafting and construing the terms of the order.
Stewart Hey
Freezing Orders: Policing the Nuclear Option
This article considered some of the checks and balances that apply when seeking access to one of the law’s most potent weapons.
Mark Hill
UAE Labour Law Update – The five big changes to note…
Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 - The five big changes to note