223 results Belgian prohibition on abuse of economic dependence comes into force and new fining guidelines In 2019, Belgium introduced legislation banning abuse in relationships between companies where there is no dominant position, but rather a position of economic dependence. The act entered into force on 22 August 2020. This article has FIVE stars! New Dutch consumer rules to curb fake reviews Consumers often rely on online reviews to decide what bike to buy, where to eat or what article to read. But what if those reviews are fake? New Dutch rules were announced on 23 October 2020 seeking to ensure a higher level of consumer protection online. De renaissance van de voorlopige maatregelen in het mededingingsrecht Mededingingsautoriteiten zijn op zoek naar instrumenten om snel in te grijpen bij ontluikende mededingingsproblemen op de techmarkten. Getting the Deal Through – Cartel Regulation 2021 Floris ten Have and Kaj Privé contributed to Getting the Deal Through – Cartel Regulation 2021. In their publication, Floris and Kaj discuss important issues that apply to cartel regulation in the Netherlands. Amsterdam Court of Appeal accepts jurisdiction in competition law damages case concerning Greek beer market On 16 February 2021, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal set aside a judgment of the Amsterdam District Court in which the District Court declined jurisdiction over the alleged claims against Athenian Brewery, a Greek subsidiary of Heineken N.V. Net(work) closing in on cross-border cartels? A heads-up for companies with cross-border activities. The ECN+ Directive’s transposition deadline has expired and its provisions should by now have found their way into the national laws of the EU Member States. ACM’s 2021 enforcement focus: digital, green and COVID-19 The ACM’s list of 2021 focus areas is out. Whereas the digital economy and the energy transition are repeats from last year, the effects of the COVID-19 crisis is a new, although somewhat unsurprising, designated focal point. The next 5 years: European Commission launches New Consumer Agenda Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission is already looking ahead to set its consumer protection priorities for the next five years. Slovak Telekom: ECJ on essentials of the ‘essential facilities’ doctrine Only dominant companies with a “genuinely tight grip” on the market can be forced to grant rivals access to their infrastructure. Court bundles educational publishers merger off to ACM for reassessment Digital mergers have steered competition authorities away from their usual mantra of structural over behavioural remedies. The Rotterdam District Court recently gave its blessing to the ACM’s remedies for securing access to a digital school platform. Highest Dutch Court: ACM has not proved dominance of Dutch railway operator NS A high market share is not always proof of a dominant position. The Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) upheld the annulment of the ACM’s fine of nearly EUR 41 million on Dutch railway operator NS for alleged abuse of dominance. Triple-check merger info to prevent costly fines – or worse Companies should check their merger information for accuracy, truthfulness and completeness before handing it over to the European Commission. Foreign subsidies: another addition to the M&A checklist Checking for merger control notification obligations and Foreign Direct Investment screening mechanisms will be on the list for most companies involved in M&A deals. Upward referral of killer acquisitions: enlightened or one-stop shop flop? Companies involved in M&A deals falling below the EU and national notification thresholds need to think twice about their deal’s potential impact on competition from now on. Abuse of economic dependence: lessons drawn from the first judgments On 22 August 2020, the ban on abuse of economic dependence was implemented in Belgium. Now that almost a year has passed and the first judgments have been rendered, we assess what first lessons can be drawn from these judgments. Game on for gatekeepers: Digital Markets Act finalised Now that political agreement has been reached on the final text, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) will enter into force soon. The DMA’s ex ante rules and obligations will apply next to the ad hoc EU and national competition rules. ACM jumps on gun-jumping bandwagon Companies involved in multi-step acquisitions should beware of potential gun-jumping risks. The ACM has fined a trade association for failing to notify the acquisition of four pharmacies involving a consecutive partial resale. Stibbe advises The Hague, Staedion and Heijmans Stibbe advises the Municipality of The Hague, Housing Association Staedion, and Heijmans on a major inner city restructuring in The Hague area, consisting of the (re)development of 5,500 houses, commercial real estate and public areas. Pagination Previous page Page 6 Current page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Next page
Belgian prohibition on abuse of economic dependence comes into force and new fining guidelines In 2019, Belgium introduced legislation banning abuse in relationships between companies where there is no dominant position, but rather a position of economic dependence. The act entered into force on 22 August 2020.
This article has FIVE stars! New Dutch consumer rules to curb fake reviews Consumers often rely on online reviews to decide what bike to buy, where to eat or what article to read. But what if those reviews are fake? New Dutch rules were announced on 23 October 2020 seeking to ensure a higher level of consumer protection online.
De renaissance van de voorlopige maatregelen in het mededingingsrecht Mededingingsautoriteiten zijn op zoek naar instrumenten om snel in te grijpen bij ontluikende mededingingsproblemen op de techmarkten.
Getting the Deal Through – Cartel Regulation 2021 Floris ten Have and Kaj Privé contributed to Getting the Deal Through – Cartel Regulation 2021. In their publication, Floris and Kaj discuss important issues that apply to cartel regulation in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam Court of Appeal accepts jurisdiction in competition law damages case concerning Greek beer market On 16 February 2021, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal set aside a judgment of the Amsterdam District Court in which the District Court declined jurisdiction over the alleged claims against Athenian Brewery, a Greek subsidiary of Heineken N.V.
Net(work) closing in on cross-border cartels? A heads-up for companies with cross-border activities. The ECN+ Directive’s transposition deadline has expired and its provisions should by now have found their way into the national laws of the EU Member States.
ACM’s 2021 enforcement focus: digital, green and COVID-19 The ACM’s list of 2021 focus areas is out. Whereas the digital economy and the energy transition are repeats from last year, the effects of the COVID-19 crisis is a new, although somewhat unsurprising, designated focal point.
The next 5 years: European Commission launches New Consumer Agenda Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission is already looking ahead to set its consumer protection priorities for the next five years.
Slovak Telekom: ECJ on essentials of the ‘essential facilities’ doctrine Only dominant companies with a “genuinely tight grip” on the market can be forced to grant rivals access to their infrastructure.
Court bundles educational publishers merger off to ACM for reassessment Digital mergers have steered competition authorities away from their usual mantra of structural over behavioural remedies. The Rotterdam District Court recently gave its blessing to the ACM’s remedies for securing access to a digital school platform.
Highest Dutch Court: ACM has not proved dominance of Dutch railway operator NS A high market share is not always proof of a dominant position. The Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) upheld the annulment of the ACM’s fine of nearly EUR 41 million on Dutch railway operator NS for alleged abuse of dominance.
Triple-check merger info to prevent costly fines – or worse Companies should check their merger information for accuracy, truthfulness and completeness before handing it over to the European Commission.
Foreign subsidies: another addition to the M&A checklist Checking for merger control notification obligations and Foreign Direct Investment screening mechanisms will be on the list for most companies involved in M&A deals.
Upward referral of killer acquisitions: enlightened or one-stop shop flop? Companies involved in M&A deals falling below the EU and national notification thresholds need to think twice about their deal’s potential impact on competition from now on.
Abuse of economic dependence: lessons drawn from the first judgments On 22 August 2020, the ban on abuse of economic dependence was implemented in Belgium. Now that almost a year has passed and the first judgments have been rendered, we assess what first lessons can be drawn from these judgments.
Game on for gatekeepers: Digital Markets Act finalised Now that political agreement has been reached on the final text, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) will enter into force soon. The DMA’s ex ante rules and obligations will apply next to the ad hoc EU and national competition rules.
ACM jumps on gun-jumping bandwagon Companies involved in multi-step acquisitions should beware of potential gun-jumping risks. The ACM has fined a trade association for failing to notify the acquisition of four pharmacies involving a consecutive partial resale.
Stibbe advises The Hague, Staedion and Heijmans Stibbe advises the Municipality of The Hague, Housing Association Staedion, and Heijmans on a major inner city restructuring in The Hague area, consisting of the (re)development of 5,500 houses, commercial real estate and public areas.