It is reported that Germany’s Ministry of Economy will consider the results of a study which aimed at boosting the competition law tools available to German competition law authorities to act against companies, particularly in the digital economy. In particular, the study suggested that the threshold for regulatory intervention should be lowered in some cases,…
Notes for journalists: Following a 39-month investigation, the European Commission finally announced its decision in the Android case last month, imposing a fine of €4.34 billion and requiring that Google bring an end to its infringing behaviour within 90 days or face penalty fines of up to 5% of the average daily worldwide turnover of their…
Ofcom has imposed a £50 million fine on Royal Mail, following an investigation with regards to its January 2014 wholesale access prices. The regulator found that Royal Mail had infringed the Chapter II prohibition of the Competition Act 1998, as well as EU Competition Law provisions. It has been reported that Royal Mail will appeal…
The UK Government has announced that it is establishing an expert panel led by Jason Furman, Harvard Professor and economic adviser to former US President Barack Obama, in order to examine the impact of digital technology companies on competition and consumer behaviour. The announcement was made along with the publication of a government report on…
It has been reported today that the UK Government sees free-to-use digital services as raising antitrust issues. In a response to a House of Lords Select Committee on Communications inquiry, UK advertising in a digital age, the Government indicates that “digital services – particularly those that are free-to-use and funded by advertising – pose challenges…
Following a 39-month investigation, the European Commission has finally announced its decision in the Android case, imposing a fine of €4.34 billion and requiring that Google bring an end to its infringing behaviour within 90 days or face penalty fines of up to 5% of the average daily worldwide turnover of their parent company, Alphabet.…
The European Commission has announced that on 17 January 2019 Margrethe Vestager will host a one-day conference. The keynote speech will be on “Shaping Competition Policy in the Era of Digitisation”, given by Professor Jean Tirole. The Commission has asked for stakeholder views on the topic, particularly from those that are “involved in or affected…
Preiskel & Co Partner, Tim Cowen, has co-authored a report with Phillip Blond, published with the support of the Big Innovation Centre, and ResPublica, entitled “Technopoly” and what to do about it: Reform, Redress and Regulation. A fascinating read, the paper takes an overview of the current competition framework, and makes important suggestions for reform.…
The Capitol Forum has published its latest update on the Google Shopping remedy, available here.
Preiskel & Co Partner, Tim Cowen, is quoted. Please email Tim with any questions relating to the Google Shopping case, the Google cases, or competition law generally.
The government has implemented its plans to amend the merger control thresholds in order to address national security concerns, initially set out in a Green Paper in October. In May the government published the Enterprise Act 2002 (Share of Supply Test) (Amendment) Order 2018 and the Enterprise Act 2002 (Turnover Test) (Amendment) Order 2018, which…
