Despite the evidential difficulties involved, the ECJ’s acceptance that the concept of collective dominance applies in Merger Regulation cases is an important step in ensuring the preservation of competition in highlyconcentrated markets. It is clear from the judgment that the evidential burden on the Commission to prove that a collective dominant position exists is high and the ECJ will not be easily satisfied that a situation of collective dominance has been proved by the Commission to exist.

Alexandra Poch
Freshfields Deringer
Brussels