Competition Review – October 2015

ANTITRUST

With regard to cases concerning the TV and computer monitor tubes cartel, the EU General Court confirmed, again that the Commission has the right to sanction cartels operating outside the EEA if a cartel directly influences the setting of prices and volumes of end products delivered to the EEA. >>

MERGER CONTROL

The European Commission unconditionally cleared the acquisition of BG Group by Royal Dutch Shell as the takeover would not lead to Shell benefiting from market power among others, in markets for oil and gas exploration, the liquefaction of gas and the wholesale supply of LNG. >>

The European Commission launched an in-depth investigation regarding the acquisition of office supplies distributor Office Depot by its competitor Staples due to concerns regarding diminished competition and choice of supplies. >>

STATE AID

The European Commission approved plans to grant EUR 23 million state aid for the first LNG terminal in Finland. >>

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT

The European Commission provided its guidance on public procurement rules in connection with the current asylum crisis. >>

NEWS FROM FINLAND

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) terminated its investigation regarding the sale of broadcasting rights of the Finnish ice-hockey league. Borenius successfully advised the ice-hockey league company (Jääkiekon SM- Liiga Oy) during the investigation. >>