On 23 June 2020 the UK government brought into force emergency legislation imposing controls on any acquisitions of UK businesses that are critical to combating
Continue Reading Emergency Controls Over Acquisitions of UK Businesses Critical to Health Emergencies
On 17 June 2020, the European Commission published its White Paper on levelling the playing field as regards foreign subsidies. This policy paper proposes
Continue Reading Progress Towards EU Control of Non-EU Subsidies: EU White Paper of 17 June 2020
In a warning shot to businesses using intellectual property rights to restrict cross-border sales within the European Economic Area (EEA), on 25 March 2019 the
Continue Reading Nike Fined €12.5 Million for Restricting Intra-EEA Sales
Barry Vitou and A. John Pappalardo co-authored an article Lexis®PSL Corporate Crime titled “Statute of Limitations on Bribery—UK and US Perspectives.”
This article
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The Consultation
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has on 26 July 2018 opened a consultation on revised guidance (Revised Guidance) on competition disqualification
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The Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt ruled on 12 July 2018 that manufacturers of luxury products are permitted to restrict authorised resellers from reselling on
Continue Reading Frankfurt Court Approves Online Marketplace Restriction for Luxury Perfumes
On 6 December 2017 the EU Court of Justice (CJEU) issued its long-awaited preliminary ruling in the case of Coty Germany GmbH v Parfü
The UK voted yesterday to leave the European Union. The timetable for the UK’s exit, the terms of exit, and the UK’s post-exit relationship with
Continue Reading The UK Votes to Leave the European Union
In October 2015, reporting requirements under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act will come into force. These obligations apply to all companies that carry on some
Continue Reading Modern slavery reporting obligations – a far reaching initiative
Written by Lisa Navarro
In September 2013, the Office of Fair Trading (“OFT“) issued statements of objection (“SO“) in two separate resale price maintenance cases. The first relates to the sale of sports bras, and the second to mobility scooters. Distinct products, sold in different ways, but both have allegedly been the subject of arrangements between suppliers and retailers aimed at artificially managing the prices that consumers pay.
The investigation into price fixing for sports bras was launched in April 2012. It focused on the conduct of DB Apparel UK Limited (“DBA“) with regard to its Shock Absorber range of sports bras. Between 2009 and 2011, DBA allegedly entered into nine agreements with three major department store chains covering nationwide sales of multiple products within the Shock Absorber range. The agreements contain provisions which set a fixed or minimum resale price for the products, thereby resulting in prices being higher than they might otherwise have been.
The OFT’s decision to issue an SO to Pride Mobility Products Limited (“Pride“) and a number of the retailers that sell its mobility scooters follows a market study on the mobility aids sector which concluded in 2011. Pride and its retailers are accused of being party to arrangements which prevented the retailers from advertising online prices at levels below Pride’s recommended retail price.
Continue Reading OFT investigates pricing restrictions in sale of mobility scooters and sports bras