GCR's 2010 Dominance and Unilateral Conduct
Update and trends in EU and US Law and Enforcement - implications of recent decisions

9 February 2010, Le Méridien Brussels

Following a year when the largest ever fine on an undertaking for an infringement of EC competition law was imposed, the EC’s guidance paper on exclusionary abuses was introduced, the US repealed its former administration guidance on Section 2 and other jurisdictions started actively to enforce their rules on abuse of dominance, it seems appropriate to take stock of developments in both the EU and the US and look at the differences that seem to persist between approaches.

In the meantime, courts and agencies are taking decisions on the cases before them and they all face the challenge of controlling abusive behaviour while not stifling innovation.

This conference provides a first-class opportunity to learn from senior representatives from the European Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the competition enforcement agencies of France, Germany and the UK, together with senior competition law specialists from industry and private practice on their latest thinking on recent developments in antitrust law and regulation of single firm conduct.

This conference will offer practical advice and expert comment on:

• The EC Guidance Paper – experiences one year on
• Current and future enforcement priorities
• The EU and US – what are the differences?
• Recent developments in the US
• What is happening at national level? Are national courts moving towards a more effects-based approach?
• Refusal to supply and deal
• Pricing – what discounts may be offered to which customers?
• Abuse of IPRs – how far does Article 102 stretch?

Note: With the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in November 2009, the new Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) entered into force as of 1 December. As a result the competition rules will have new numbering – Article 82 EC Treaty will become Article 102 TFEU.