Latest News From Global Competition Review

DoJ top brass will attend agriculture roundtable

Global Competition Review — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:55:49 GMT

The US Department of Justice will allow farmers, lawmakers and competitors to lay out their criticisms of competition in the agriculture industry, with the issue of genetically modified seeds - and their main producer, Monsanto - taking centre stage.

China pledges to reform monopoly industries

Global Competition Review — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:45:06 GMT

China’s Premier Wen Jiabao has committed to creating an environment for fair competition among private and state-owned businesses.

South Africa turns spotlight back on banking

Global Competition Review — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:35:08 GMT

South Africa’s Competition Commissioner, Shan Ramburuth, has told the country’s parliament that the commission’s banking inquiry is again a priority.

Harbour prepares to depart the FTC

Global Competition Review — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:34:52 GMT

The US Federal Trade Commission says new commissioners Julie Brill and Edith Ramirez will take their posts "in the coming weeks" after being confirmed by Congress last week, allowing long-serving commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour to leave the agency following the end of her term in September.

Singapore charges electrical companies

Global Competition Review — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:33:39 GMT

Singapore’s Competition Commission today issued a proposed infringement decision (PID) against 14 electrical and building companies for allegedly colluding on tenders.

NCAA lawsuit turns to First Amendment issue

Global Competition Review — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:32:39 GMT

A collusion case against the US's national college athletics body and video game maker Electronic Arts may transform from a privacy and antitrust suit to a First Amendment battle over the right to use player likenesses without their permission.

Klusmann calls for review of EU marker system

Global Competition Review — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:31:13 GMT

The European Commission’s marker system is the silent killer of its immunity programme, delegates have heard at a conference today. Rachel Bull in Brussels.

Merck and Sanofi-Aventis announce animal health joint venture

Global Competition Review — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:30:28 GMT

US pharmaceutical firm Merck and France’s Sanofi-Aventis have announced plans to combine their animal health businesses in a joint venture, fulfilling a clause in Merck’s merger agreement with rival Schering-Plough.

DG Comp road-tests airline commitments

Global Competition Review — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:58:48 GMT

The European Commission has begun market-testing commitments offered by British A irways, American Airlines and Iberia to allay concerns that their proposed alliance may harm competition on transatlantic flights.

Swiss court overturns telecoms fine

Global Competition Review — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:57:53 GMT

A Swiss court has yesterday overturned a fine of approximately €227 million against telecoms operator Swisscom for abuse of dominance in the mobile termination market.

Block exemption guidelines set for April release

Global Competition Review — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:02:56 GMT

Representatives of the European Commission discussed revisions to the block exemption guidelines at the International Forum on EU Competition Law yesterday. Rachel Bull in Brussels.

Effective policy drives better competition enforcement

Global Competition Review — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:58:08 GMT

A robust, dynamic competition policy is the best way for the economy to exit the global financial crisis, says Alexander Italianer, the European Commission’s director general for competition. Rachel Bull in Brussels