Latest by Melanie Musgrave

Online resale price maintenance and pricing software under scrutiny

Published on 30 July 2018. By Lambros Kilaniotis, Partner and Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate

The imposition of fixed or minimum prices on their online retailers, in breach of EU competition law, has resulted in four consumer electronics manufacturers being fined over €111 million in total by the European Commission.

Luxury brands: The tale of selective distribution systems and online platform restrictions

Published on 19 December 2017. By Lambros Kilaniotis, Partner and Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate

In the much awaited Coty preliminary ruling, the European Court of Justice (the "ECJ") has confirmed that, subject to certain conditions, luxury goods manufacturers can employ selective distribution systems to preserve the luxury image of their products and can prohibit their authorised distributors from utilising third-party online sales platforms.

Digital Comparison Tools: The CMA's Verdict

Published on 20 October 2017. By Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate and Lambros Kilaniotis, Partner

The CMA has recently concluded its year-long digital comparison tools (DCT) market study with the publication (on 26 September 2017) of its Final Report. However, this is by no means the end of the story. In addition to making recommendations to DCTs, their users, the regulators (in particular, the FCA), other bodies and the Government, the CMA has launched a competition investigation into the use of wide "most favoured nation" (MFN) contractual arrangements by a DCT in the home insurance sector and will keep other commercial arrangements under review.

FCA makes maiden market investigation reference

Published on 20 September 2017. By Lambros Kilaniotis, Partner and Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate and James Mee, Partner and Alun Marriott, Managing Partner - RPC Consulting

Digital comparison tools: the CMA decides against a market investigation reference

Published on 30 March 2017. By Lambros Kilaniotis, Partner and Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate

Six months after the CMA launched its market study into digital comparison tools, it has decided not to make a market investigation reference, but will focus on four areas of possible concern in a second phase of its market study.

The Insurance Block Exemption: The End of an Era

Published on 13 March 2017. By Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate and Lambros Kilaniotis, Partner

31 March 2017 sees the expiry of the Insurance Block Exemption

Online Sales and Price-Fixing

Published on 01 December 2016. By Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate

The CMA recently issued a warning to online retailers against price-fixing and using automated re-pricing software to facilitate such arrangements.

Digital comparison tools under review

Published on 12 October 2016. By Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate

The UK's CMA has launched a market study into price comparison tools, such as price comparison websites and smartphone apps. The aim is to establish what action, if any, is required to improve how this market works. The CMA has until 28 March 2017 to decide whether to open an in-depth market investigation.

Price fixing online – a new competition authority warning

Published on 18 July 2016. By Alyson Lloyd, Senior Associate and Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") has released an open letter to suppliers and retailers warning against online practices which constitute price fixing.

Insurance Block Exemption: does EC report signal beginning of the end?

Published on 18 March 2016. By Lambros Kilaniotis, Partner and Melanie Musgrave, Senior Associate

With just over a year to go before the current Insurance Block Exemption is due to expire (its expiry date is 31 March 2017), the European Commission has just published its Report on the Block Exemption's application.