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Briefings in English - 2003

EU law in new member states

This booklet focuses on four topics - state aid, public procurement,energy and telecoms regulation. It covers them in relation to four new member states in which Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has most actively advised businesses on different aspects of EU law and its implementation into national law, namely the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and the Slovak Republic. (December 2003)

EU merger regulation: calm after the storm?

The Council of the European Union has adopted important amendments to the EU merger regulation. They include: a new substantive test based on the notion of a 'significant impediment to effective competition'; a more flexible timetable for merger review; a reinforced one-stop-shop concept; and increased enforcement powers for the European Commission. The new merger regulation will apply from 1 May 2004. (December 2003)

Tribunal quashes OFT merger clearance decision

For the first time the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has quashed an OFT decision clearing a merger without referring it to the Competition Commission. The CAT has decided, in essence, that the OFT will have to refer mergers to the Commission for detailed examination, except where these mergers can be shown to raise no issues. (December 2003)

New rules on technology licensing

The European Commission has proposed major changes to the rules on licensing patents, knowhow and software. The changes will be particularly relevant to those in the technology sector, but all businesses should consider their impact and decide whether to get involved in the EU lobbying process. (November 2003)

EU enlargement: pharmaceutical issues

This briefing covers three issues of significance for the pharmaceutical industry that arise from the enlargement of the EU in May 2004: marketing authorisations for medicinal products; Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs); and parallel importation of medicinal products from new member states. (October 2003)

Competition action before the courts: where next?

There have been three recent judgments in the English courts on private enforcement actions. In this briefing we look at these cases and some of the issues that arise when private action is used as an alternative to regulatory enforcement. (September 2003)

The reorganisation of DG Competition

This briefing highlights the key organisational changes to merger review in the future, specifically the first reorganisation of the directorate general for competition in 13 years. (August 2003)

Communications Act - Media ownership

The Communications Act received Royal Assent on Thursday 17 July 2003. Under the Act, non-EEA companies will very shortly be able to own UK television and radio companies, and the scope for cross-media mergers will be increased. (July 2003)

The Enterprise Act 2002 - Guide to the competition reforms

The last few years have been dramatic ones in the area of UK competition law. Radical changes to the UK competition regime since March 2000 have forced almost every company to rethink its competition compliance policies, strategies on risk management and day-to-day ways of conducting business. The aim of this guide is to provide you with an outline of the most recent changes to the UK competition regime introduced by the Enterprise Act 2002 (the Act). (July 2003)

EU modernisation reforms: shaking the competition

This article was first published in the June 2003 issue of PLC magazine. (www.practicallaw.com)

Vitamins cartel judgment - Will it encourage damages claims?

A judgment in the vitamins cartel litigation means that it could now be easier to bring damages claims in cartel cases in the English courts, and possibly elsewhere. This briefing examines the judgment as well as the implications for those engaged in cartel related litigation. (June 2003)

A Solution to the Problems? Regulation 1/2003 and the Modernisation of Competition Procedure

by Dr. Frank Montag. First published in Zeitschrift für Wettbewerbsrecht. Reproduced by kind permission of the publisher, RWS Verlag Kommunikationsforum GmbH, Cologne. (February 2003)

Briefings in German - 2003

Verordnung Nr.17/62 und Verordnung Nr.1/2003 - die historische Perspektive

Vortrag von Prof.Arved Deringer bei dem Seminar "Ein halbes Jahrhundert Europäisches Wettbewerbsrecht" am 17.Juli 2003 in Brüssel.

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