Competition weekly news summary
26 September 2014

Conferences and Speeches

  • Presenting the Annual Competition Report
    European Parliament – ECON Committee, Brussels, Joaquín Almunia
    23 September 2014
    "In my hearing almost five years ago, I said that competition policy had a key role to play to help Europe’s economy grow and create jobs, our most important priority. My experience during these years clearly reinforces that point."
    Read full speech >

Mergers

  • Commission opens in-depth investigation into acquisition of controlling stake in De Vijver Media by Liberty Global
    22 September 2014
    The Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether the proposed acquisition of joint control over De Vijver Media by Liberty Global, Corelio and Waterman & Waterman, is in line with the EU Merger Regulation. Liberty Global controls the Flemish cable operator Telenet, while De Vijver owns the Dutch-language TV-channels "Vier" and "Vijf". The Commission has therefore concerns that the proposed transaction may lead to shutting out competitors of these companies from the TV sector in Flanders.
    Read more >

State aid

  • Commission publishes new broadband investment guide
    24 September 2014
    The broadband investment guide is aimed at helping local, regional and national authorities to establish long-term development plans to bring fast internet to their communities.
    Read more >

Court

  • Cases T-601/11, T-615/11 (Danish casinos state aid case)
    26 September 2014
    The EU General Court ruled on two appeals against a Commission decision of September 2011 regarding the Danish law on gambling. A Danish law of 2010 liberalised the gambling sector and at the same time established lower taxes for online gambling providers than for land-based ones. The Commission found that this was in line with EU state aid rules, because the positive effects of the liberalisation of the sector outweigh potential distortions of competition brought about by the different tax treatment. Royal Scandinavian Casino Arhus and Dansk Automat Brancheforening, an association of slot machine operators, brought actions for annulment of the Commission's 2011 decision. The GC dismissed both appeals, holding that the applicants lacked legal standing for bringing proceedings.
    Read full Dansk Automat Brancheforening judgment >
    Read full Royal Scandinavian Casino Arhus judgment >
    Read more about Commission's 2011 decision >

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Published by the Competition Directorate General of the European Commission. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for the use which might be made of the above information.

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