Whilst not a sea of difference apart, the two regimes present notable distinctions for companies operating on both sides of the Channel to navigate. By David Little and Alexandra Luchian Upon its expiry on 31 May 2022, the 2010 Vertical Block Exemption Regulation was replaced by the 2022 Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER) in the … Continue Reading
Recent developments at the CJEU give some shape to the practical implications of Article 17 of the Copyright Directive. By Jean-Luc Juhan, Susan Kempe-Mueller, Deborah Kirk, Elva Cullen, Alex Park, Pia Sophie Sösemann, Victoria Wan, and Amy Smyth 7 June 2021 was the implementation deadline for the Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive (EU) … Continue Reading
The proposals include certain notable changes, while also mirroring the current UK framework and the European Commission’s planned approach in many respects. By David Little, Alexandra Luchian, and James Mathieson The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed replacing the retained Vertical Agreements Block Exemption Regulation (Retained VABER), which has applied in the UK … Continue Reading
The new rules follow coordinated regulatory and antitrust scrutiny of overcharging loyal customers. By David Little, Victoria Sander, Gregory Bonné, and Anuj Ghai On 28 May 2021, the FCA published a policy statement setting out new pricing practices rules for insurers and insurance distributors. The new rules follow a September 2020 consultation paper and final … Continue Reading
This recent CJEU decision raises a number of considerations for content rights holders and for those seeking to link to content online, across both the EU and the UK By Deborah Kirk, Luke Vaz, and Amy Smyth Under UK and European laws, the rights of copyright holders include the right to restrict or prohibit reproduction … Continue Reading
Italian Securities Commission returns to ordinary reporting requirements for listed issuers. By Antonio Coletti, Isabella Porchia, Guido Bartolomei, and Marta Negro The Italian Securities Commission (CONSOB), by press release dated April 12, 2021, announced its decision to end the more stringent reporting requirements originally introduced on April 9, 2020, as a response to the impact … Continue Reading
More stringent reporting obligations regarding relevant shareholdings and investment objectives for Italian-listed issuers will continue until 13 April 2021. By Antonio Coletti, Guido Bartolomei, Marta Negro, and Isabella Porchia On 13 January 2021, the Italian Securities Commission (CONSOB) adopted Resolution 21672 (the Resolution), further extending for three months the more stringent reporting requirements for relevant … Continue Reading
The more stringent reporting obligations for certain Italian-listed issuers will continue until January 13, 2021. By Antonio Coletti, Isabella Porchia, Guido Bartolomei, and Marta Negro The Italian Securities Commission (CONSOB) has adopted Resolution 21525, extending for a period of three months — from October 13, 2020, to January 13, 2021 — the provisions of Resolutions … Continue Reading
The initiative includes a competition law sustainability “sandbox” in which market participants could team up to work on sustainable business projects. By David Little and Pierre Bichet The Greek Competition Authority (HCC) has announced a public consultation on how competition law rules might be adapted to promote more sustainable business practices. The HCC published a … Continue Reading
The more stringent reporting obligations for certain Italian listed issuers will continue until October 12, 2020. By Antonio Coletti, Isabella Porchia, and Marta Negro The Italian Securities Commission (CONSOB) has adopted Resolution 21434, extending for a period of three months — from July 12, 2020, to October 12, 2020 — the provisions of Resolutions 21326 … Continue Reading
The investigation is being carried out under the CMA’s competition law powers rather than under its consumer protection functions. By John D. Colahan and Anuj Ghai On 18 June, the CMA released an update noting that it had launched an investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 into suspected breaches of competition law … Continue Reading
The UK government has relaxed the application of UK competition law to certain types of agreements across sectors. By John D. Colahan and Anuj Ghai On 21 May 2020, the CMA published a register containing links to each public policy exclusion order and notified agreement related to COVID-19 in the UK. A public policy exclusion … Continue Reading
The taskforce continues to receive and monitor complaints about unfair practices in relation to cancellations and refunds and potentially unjustifiable price rises. By John D. Colahan and Anuj Ghai On 21 May, the CMA released a further update setting out the work of its COVID-19 Taskforce in responding to complaints regarding competition and consumer protection … Continue Reading
The CMA has launched a programme of work to investigate reports of businesses failing to respect cancellation rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. By John D. Colahan and Anuj Ghai The CMA’s COVID-19 Taskforce Update on 24 April 2020 noted that its COVID-19 Taskforce had received a significant volume of complaints about unfair practices in relation … Continue Reading
The CMA is concerned that businesses may be engaging in unfair practices in relation to cancellations and refunds, and unjustifiable price increases. By John D. Colahan and Anuj Ghai Background On 24 April 2020, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published an update on the work of its COVID-19 Taskforce (the Taskforce) (the Update Report). … Continue Reading
The guidance includes a refresher on “failing firm” defence claims, for which the CMA will maintain a high bar. By John D. Colahan, Stephanie Adams, and Peter Citron On 22 April 2020 the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published guidance on its assessment of mergers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows the guidance the … Continue Reading
Although the decision appears on its face to be a positive development for online marketplaces, it is does not definitively resolve questions of liability. By Deborah J. Kirk and Elva Cullen On 2 April 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered its ruling in Coty Germany v Amazon — marking a … Continue Reading
D.P.C.M. now includes measures for certain manufacturing industries, as well as call centres and civil engineering works, but excludes employment agencies. By Giancarlo D’Ambrosio and Giovanni B. Sandicchi By decree of the Ministry of Economic Development, adopted yesterday and in force since today, March, 26, 2020, several amendments have been made to the list annexed … Continue Reading
The new decree imposes measures in effect from today until April 3, 2020 to combat the spread of COVID-19. By Giancarlo D’Ambrosio and Giovanni B. Sandicchi Yesterday evening, the Italian government adopted a new decree (D.P.C.M. of March 22, 2020), which suspends, as of today, non-essential industrial and commercial production activities throughout the country to … Continue Reading
Ofgem’s recently announced goals and developments and changes to the post-Brexit state aid regime will have important implications for market players. By John D Colahan, Stephanie Adams, and Anuj Ghai 2020 is set to be a an important year for competition law-related enforcement in the UK energy sector not least as it waits for the … Continue Reading
Court ruling confirms that online sales restrictions can amount to a serious infringement of competition law. By John D. Colahan and Anuj Ghai On 21 January 2020, the UK’s Court of Appeal ruled that the online sales restrictions contained in Ping’s internet sales policy (ISP) constituted a restriction of competition by object. The Court of … Continue Reading
The CAT’s Royal Mail v. Ofcom judgment considers what constitutes abusive conduct, the “as-efficient competitor” test, and the use of expert economic advice. By David Little, Gregory Bonné, Alexandra Luchian, and Nathan Wilkins On 12 November 2019, the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (the CAT) published its judgment rejecting Royal Mail’s appeal against a £50 million … Continue Reading
In our latest video series, out antitrust lawyers discuss key merger control issues that dealmakers should consider to ensure a smooth antitrust review of strategic transactions. Click on the video playlist below or visit our video gallery page to hear their views on key topics impacting global transactions; gain practical tips on how to minimize … Continue Reading
New law aims to expand the currently limited application of class actions in Italy. By Antonio Distefano and Isabella Porchia The Italian Parliament recently introduced a comprehensive reform of the rules governing class actions with Law No. 31 of 12 April 2019 (the Reform). The Reform, which was published in the Official Gazette on 18 … Continue Reading
