A few thoughts on the European Commission’s Internet of Things Sector Inquiry

The European Commission has published its final report on the sector inquiry into the consumer Internet of Things (IoT), i.e., into “smart devices” like wearables, smart speakers or smart home products. The document is a pretty crisp summary of the consumer IoT as the Commission sees it and contains quite a number of hints on … Continue reading A few thoughts on the European Commission’s Internet of Things Sector Inquiry →

Data protection and antitrust law – a relationship for eternity?

Last week, we blogged about the Bundeskartellamt finding that Alphabet/Google has a “paramount significance across markets”. One aspect that played a role in this and other cases is the relationship between data protection and antitrust law. A reason for us to take a closer look at this relationship in recent case law. As an antitrust … Continue reading Data protection and antitrust law – a relationship for eternity? →

(Not) a happy new year?

We have blogged about recent cases involving big tech here and here. With its first press release this year, the Bundeskartellamt found that Alphabet/Google has a “paramount significance across markets”. In this post, we provide an outlook on the potential implications this decision might have in the future. Many people (and companies) start the new … Continue reading (Not) a happy new year? →

TV ads & crooks – “Antitrust & the Political System” goes to France

In part III of our series antitrust and the political system, Guillaume Fabre, partner at French antitrust boutique Jouvensal Fabre, gives insights into the French antitrust world and latest developments. On 4 October 2021, the small world of competition law in Paris was thrown in turmoil. Ms de Silva was widely expected to be appointed … Continue reading TV ads & crooks – “Antitrust & the Political System” goes to France →

A new game to play? Current and upcoming antitrust issues in sports

We blogged about acquisitions of football clubs and the German 50+1 rule a while ago. But there are far more antitrust aspects clubs, associations and organisations should keep in mind. This post gives an overview of recent developments and outlines what it means to play fair and square in antitrust terms. Whilst cooperations between competitors, … Continue reading A new game to play? Current and upcoming antitrust issues in sports →

Facebook, Giphy, Kustomer – Regulators’ views diverging?

The UK competition regulator CMA has ordered Facebook* to divest Giphy. Earlier this year, the CMA cleared Facebook’s acquisition of Kustomer in Phase I, a deal now under heavy scrutiny by the European Commission. As much as antitrust regulators emphasize a tough stance on acquisitions by big tech, is there a risk of diverging views? … Continue reading Facebook, Giphy, Kustomer – Regulators’ views diverging? →

The German ministerial permission: Reform incoming?!

Today the new coalition of the SPD, Greens and FDP, the so-called “traffic-light coalition”, published its coalition agreement. Rumours that the ministerial permission is to be abolished have not materialised. However, the new coalition plans to improve the right of third parties to appeal a ministerial permission and to potentially even involve the German parliament … Continue reading The German ministerial permission: Reform incoming?! →

Antitrust and the Political System – Part II: EU

Part II of our series – this time focusing on the decision-making process in the EU and within the European Commission. We kicked off this series with our post on Germany and on where the Bundeskartellamt sits in the political system. This time, we will deep dive into the European antitrust hierarchy and see if … Continue reading Antitrust and the Political System – Part II: EU →

Joint purchasing – Three key points in the current clash

There currently is much debate about how joint purchasing should be assessed going forward, and whether existing purchasing alliances should face greater scrutiny. This piece highlights three key points on joint purchasing, antitrust, and the involved politics. The European Commission lays out its view of joint purchasing in its Horizontal Guidelines, published already in 2011. … Continue reading Joint purchasing – Three key points in the current clash →

Will the DMA and similar national rules be enforceable at all, and who will remain to enforce in other areas?

Only recently, we have reported on various moves by senior antitrust officials to private practice. Today, we turn to the shift of responsibilities within the authorities and the question whether the European Commission and national European antitrust authorities have the capacities to enforce their new competition tools once they are made available to them. New … Continue reading Will the DMA and similar national rules be enforceable at all, and who will remain to enforce in other areas? →