The European Union has become antitrust player; investigations of mergers and other global deals costs U.S. companies money and time - and are proliferating
Article Abstract:
The European Branch, the European Union's (EU) executive branch, has merger regulations which trigger antitrust review. While EU merger standards are similar to American ones, observers feel EU officials are more lenient in permitting mergers. EU antitrust policy is based on articles 85 and 86 of the organization's founding pact, the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Agreements with an adverse impact on trade between member countries or resulting in unfair competition or abusive monopolies by dominant companies are banned. The commission in staffed by political appointees from the EU's 15 member countries.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1996
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EC displays new fervor in antitrust prosecution
Article Abstract:
The European Commission (EC) has begun to formulate and enforce fair and stringent antitrust laws. Cases of price information exchange between industry members through trade associations have led to fines of the companies and associations involved, and made clear that non-public pricing information is not to be shared. The procedures for mergers have been clarified, and product markets are being established. The single economic entity theory is also playing a more substantial role in EC antitrust law.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1995
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Antitrust law; global compliance gets ever more complicated; companies are subject to more nations' competition laws, even where they do not do business
Article Abstract:
The only antitrust worry of US companies used to be US antitrust laws, but with an increasingly global economy they are subject to many regulatory regimes which may be in conflict. Extraterritorial jurisdiction forms part of most countries' antitrust laws. Foreign law may apply if commercial conduct affects markets in that country. Resources diverted to antitrust compliance can be minimized with early efforts to become familiar with applicable antitrust laws.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1998
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