German Bundeskartellamt Updates

Jul 1, 2024

AVM Computersysteme Vertriebs GmbH, a German company known for its 'FRITZ!' brand products, has been fined nearly 16 million euros by the Bundeskartellamt for engaging in vertical price fixing with six electronics retailers.

Jun 25, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt's President, Andreas Mundt, emphasizes the importance of fair competition for innovation and consumer welfare in the digital economy and AI era, while addressing cartel prosecution, merger control, consumer protection, and energy market concerns.

Jun 23, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has approved the acquisition plans involving Castlelake, Air France-KLM, and the Kingdom of Denmark for SAS airline's restructuring amidst its US bankruptcy proceedings.

Jun 18, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt's final report highlights issues with credit scoring practices in the online retail sector, urging for more transparency and compliance with consumer protection laws.

Jun 16, 2024

Thermo Fisher Scientific's acquisition of Olink Holding AB has been approved by the Bundeskartellamt, with no serious competition concerns raised.

Jun 9, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt approves the establishment of the Automotive Licensing Negotiation Group (ALNG) by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Thyssenkrupp, and VW to collectively negotiate conditions for acquiring standard essential patents (SEPs).

Jun 9, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has approved Land Berlin's acquisition of 4,500 flats and 40 hectares of undeveloped land from Vonovia, stating that it does not raise competition concerns.

May 28, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt is closely examining the 50+1 rule in light of the European Court of Justice's recent case law and will be scrutinizing Deutsche Fußball Liga's (DFL) licensing practices.

May 14, 2024

The 23rd Annual Conference of the International Competition Network (ICN) is taking place in Sauipe, Brazil from 14 to 17 May 2024, with over 80 jurisdictions represented.

May 14, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has approved the merger of Konsum Leipzig with EDEKA Nordbayern-Sachsen-Thüringen, allowing Konsum Leipzig to join the EDEKA group.

May 7, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has given the green light to a reuse system in the plant trade sector aimed at reducing plastic waste, finding it compliant with competition law.

Apr 14, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has approved Cisalfa Sport S.p.A.'s acquisition of SportScheck GmbH, noting the consolidation in the German sports and outdoor retail sector but finding no competition concerns.

Apr 11, 2024

Hunter Douglas GmbH withdrew its acquisition notification of erfal GmbH & Co. KG due to competition concerns raised by the Bundeskartellamt, citing potential market dominance issues in the production of interior window coverings.

Apr 3, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has approved the Land Berlin's acquisition of Vattenfall's district heating network in Berlin, with a focus on competition law implications.

Mar 25, 2024

The ICN Technologist Forum brought together representatives from digital markets and technologist teams to enhance the digital and technology capacities of competition agencies worldwide.

Mar 19, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has successfully secured wider advertising options and social media usage for German athletes and their sponsors at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, following an administrative proceeding against the DOSB and IOC.

Mar 12, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has fined Pfanner Schutzbekleidung GmbH for engaging in vertical price-fixing practices in the sale of protective clothing in Germany.

Mar 10, 2024

The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court largely upheld the Bundeskartellamt's decision against Deutsche Bahn for abusing its market power in relation to mobility platforms, requiring DB to pay fees to the platforms for processing bookings and payments.

Feb 28, 2024

The 22nd International Conference on Competition, hosted by the Bundeskartellamt in Berlin from 29 February to 1 March 2024, will gather over 350 participants from 60 countries to discuss current issues in international competition law enforcement and policy.

Feb 25, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has approved Deutsche Fußball Liga's marketing model for selling media rights to Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches from the 2025/26 season onwards, with certain conditions imposed to ensure competition.