Licensing and distribution agreements of Nike, Sanrio and Universal Studios: the European Commission opens formal investigations

Open Proceeding, PUBLIC ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENTLeave a comment

On 14 June 2017, the European Commission has opened three separate antitrust investigations to investigate whether certain licensing and distribution practices of Nike, Sanrio and Universal Studios illegally restrict their licensees from selling the licensed merchandise cross-border and online. More specifically, the investigations concern the licensing and distribution of merchandising products, such as clothes, shoes,…

Distribution agreements in the clothing market: the European Commission opens formal investigation into distribution practices of clothing company Guess

ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT, Open Proceeding, PUBLIC ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENTLeave a comment

On 6 June 2017, the European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into the distribution agreements and practices of clothing manufacturer and retailer Guess. Guess operates as a manufacturer, distributor and licensor of clothing and accessories. According to the opening statement, the investigation is aimed at ascertaining whether Guess illegally restricted retailers from selling…

THE AUSTRIAN CARTEL COURT IMPOSES FINES FOR PRICE MAINTENANCE AND OTHER VERTICAL RESTRAINTS

Cartels, Close Proceeding, Fines, PUBLIC ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENTLeave a comment

The Austrian Cartel Court fined De’Longhi-Kenwood with EUR 650.000 for fixing prices with retailers, restricting cross-border trade and introducing a full blown online-distribution-prohibition. In the years 2006-2015 staff of De’Longhi-Kenwood observed the market multiple-times during the week and pressured retailers through immediate contacts (via email or telephone conversations) when price-discrepancies from the established minimum-prices were…