Latest by Melanie Musgrave
COVID-19: The Dairy Sector and Welsh health services granted temporary UK competition law exemptions and the European Commission issues first 'Comfort Letter' to Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
The UK Government has granted a temporary competition law exemption for certain collaboration within the dairy sector and Welsh health services and the European Commission has published its first 'comfort letter' to allow co-operation to ensure supplies of medicines for COVID-19 patients.
Read moreCOVID-19: What is the CMA's current approach to UK merger assessment?
The CMA has been adapting its working practices to react to the ongoing challenges of a change in working environment that has an impact on almost all businesses.
Read moreCOVID-19: The groceries sector - temporary competition law exemption comes into force
In light of "exceptional and compelling reasons of public policy" arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Secretary of State (the "SoS") has announced temporary competition law arrangements in the groceries sector.
Read moreCOVID-19: CMA provides guidance to business on its approach to co-operation in response to the pandemic
Businesses, which do not benefit from the specific competition law exemptions granted by the Secretary of State (in the groceries, Solent Ferries and healthcare services sectors), may co-operate without fear of enforcement action by the Competition and Markets Authority (the "CMA"), provided that this co-operation is undertaken "solely to address concerns arising from the current crisis and does not go further or last longer than what is necessary".
Read moreCOVID-19: help for supermarkets and other retailers with competition law compliance in challenging times
The Government is providing the supermarkets with the necessary comfort, so that they can co-operate with each other in order to keep the shelves stocked and deliveries continuing during the course of the COVID-19 crisis.
Read moreOnline resale price maintenance practices attract highest fines yet from the CMA
The CMA announced on 22 January 2020 that it has fined Fender, the guitar manufacturer, £4.5 million for illegal resale price maintenance practices ("RPM").
Read moreAnother successful round for the CMA
The Court of Appeal confirms that an absolute online sales ban imposed by a supplier on its authorised retailers is illegal.
Read moreOnline resale price maintenance and pricing software under scrutiny
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.
Read moreLuxury brands: The tale of selective distribution systems and online platform restrictions
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.
Read moreDigital Comparison Tools: The CMA's Verdict
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.
Read moreDigital comparison tools: the CMA decides against a market investigation reference
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.
Read moreThe Insurance Block Exemption: The End of an Era
31 March 2017 sees the expiry of the Insurance Block Exemption
Read moreOnline Sales and Price-Fixing
The CMA recently issued a warning to online retailers against price-fixing and using automated re-pricing software to facilitate such arrangements.
Read moreDigital comparison tools under review
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.
Read morePrice fixing online – a new competition authority warning
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.
Read moreInsurance Block Exemption: does EC report signal beginning of the end?
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.
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