GCR April 2010
Cutting Red Tape - Fostering Competition in Mexico
Journal Feature
UK follow-on damages claims after Enron
Romano Subiotto QC, Ruchit Patel, and John Townsend of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP in Brussels and London explore the implications of the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal’s judgment in Enron Coal
Corporate counsel interview
Rufus Ogilvie Smals
Mind the gap
Is the European Commission overextending the concept of the single and continuous infringement to beat time restrictions and prosecute more companies? Rosalind Donald investigates
Country Survey: Mexico
Mexico's competition bar
Amendments to Mexico’s competition law in 2006 may not have been perfect, but they did trigger a considerable shift in the country’s competition bar, as both enforcers and private lawyers began focusing on behavioural and cartel cases. Ron Knox takes a look at the best of Mexico’s competition bar and how they’ve adapted to the changes
An interview with Eduardo Perez Motta
Since becoming the head of Mexico’s Federal Competition Commission five years ago, Eduardo Pérez Motta has turned the enforcer from a near-dormant government agency to one of the most active enforcers in Latin America. Ron Knox talks to Pérez Motta about how far the commission has come, and what it must do to help Mexico’s struggling competition culture
Cutting red tape
With an economy hampered by one of the most restrictive regulatory systems in the world, Mexico’s government now wants to cut red tape to create a more competitive marketplace and reduce prices for consumers. Ron Knox examines the project – and its chances of success
Country Survey: Austria
Austria's competition bar
A steady flow of leniency applications to the Austrian authorities means that the country's competition lawyers are busier than ever. Emily Gray travelled to Vienna to meet the firms that are riding the new wave of cartel enforcement
An interview with Theodor Thanner
Although Austria’s Competition Authority is one of the smallest enforcers in Europe, it hasn’t shied away from taking on tough cases against major companies. Emily Gray met director general Theodor Thanner in Vienna to discuss the development of Austria’s enforcement regime
Making a little go a long way: how Austrian enforcement has turned a corner
Despite scarce resources and a reputation for being a lacklustre enforcer, Austria’s Competition Authority has brought a raft of cartel cases in recent years. Emily Gray travelled to Vienna to find out how a small authority is making big changes
Global Briefing
UNITED STATES: DC DISTRICT DENIES PRIVATE PLAINTIFFS ACCESS TO DOJ INTERVIEW NOTES
In re Micron Technologies, Inc Securities Litigation (DDC 1 February 2010)
SWITZERLAND: COMCO CRITICISED OVER RECENT DECISION
Swiss Competition Commission sanctions three producers of “hors-liste” drugs which communicated non-binding resale price recommendations
SPAIN: 53 BUILDING COMPANIES UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR RESTRICTING COMPETITION
The Spanish Competition Authority has started probes against companies in the construction industry over possible anti-competitive practices
SOUTH AFRICA: COMPETITION TRIBUNAL FINDS SAA'S INCENTIVE SCHEME TO TRAVEL AGENTS IS ANTI-COMPETITIVE
Competition Tribunal shows willingness to hold serial offenders accountable
SERBIA: ADOPTS THREE BLOCK EXEMPTIONS FOR RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS
On 18 February 2009, the Serbian government adopted three block exemption regulations that introduce significant changes to the legal framework of competition in Serbia
ITALY: CHEMICAL COMPANY UNDER INVESTIGATION
Competition Authority launches investigation into a possible abuse of dominant position by Bayer CropScience
ISRAEL: 800,000 SHEKEL FINE AND DISMISSAL FROM DIRECTORSHIP OF PUBLIC COMPANIES IMPOSED ON DOR GAS CHAIRMAN
Towards the end of the 1994 to 1996 Gas Cartel matter, Dor Gas’s 86-year-old chairman of the board was severely punished by Jerusalem District Court
FINLAND: COMPETITION AUTHORITY IMPOSES CONDITIONS ON FORCIT
Civil explosives company instructed to put an end to suspected abuse of dominant position
DENMARK: PRICE FIXING IN THE VETERINARY SECTOR
Seven Danish veterinary hospitals have been fined for fixing the rates for consultations outside ordinary opening hours
BELGIUM: BELGACOM ALLEGED ABUSE OF DOMINANCE CASE DISMISSED AGAIN
College of Competition Prosecutors closes case against Belgacom for a second time
AUSTRIA: COMPETITION AUTHORITY STARTS CROSS-BORDER MERGER CONTROL PLATFORM
In March, the Austrian Competition Authority set up a merger platform database that provides an overview of ongoing merger cases notified to various national competition authorities


