Article Abstract:
The European Commission has adopted new rules that allow both parties in competition cases the right to a hearing, with the competition commissioner being given new powers. Meanwhile, the Commission has ruled that a German media services joint venture between Bertelsmann, Deutsche Telekom and Kirch Gruppe is anticompetitive and the venture has been blocked. Additionally, record fines of $307 million have been imposed on a Europe-wide cement cartel operated by eight national cement organisations and 33 European cement producers.
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Article Abstract:
The European Commission has published its green paper on merger control in which it states that it wishes to reduce the merger control thresholds that automatically activate its intervention in corporate mergers. The Commission proposes to reduce the aggregate global turnover threshold to 2 billion Ecu from 5 billion Ecu, while the European Union turnover limit will be reduced to 100 million Ecu from 250 million Ecu. An overview of the Commission's merger control activities is presented.
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Article Abstract:
The European Union has renewed its antitrust cooperation pact with the U.S. to replace a comparable accord that was cancelled by the European Court in 1994. There are ongoing talks on a similar pact with Japan, although no plans have been finalised. Other agreements that have been reviewed include an extension of the block exemption for new vehicle distribution and the draft of new rules for technology transfers.
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