German Bundeskartellamt Updates

Feb 5, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has informed the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) and other parties involved in the 50+1 proceeding about the current stage and next steps, taking into consideration recent judgments by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the relation between sports association rules and competition law.

Jan 29, 2024

The Bundeskartellamt has given its preliminary approval to the marketing model proposed by Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) for the sale of media rights to Bundesliga matches from the 2025/26 season onwards.

Dec 27, 2023

The Rethmann Group has been identified as a clear market leader in the domestic waste collection and hollow glass processing sectors, prompting the Bundeskartellamt to consider imposing notification obligations on the company for future takeovers of smaller businesses.

Dec 19, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt is assessing Google's proposed solutions to address competition concerns regarding its Automotive Services, following objections about its bundling practices.

Dec 13, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has fined 14 construction companies and 12 individuals a total of €4.8 million for engaging in illegal bid rigging over several years.

Dec 11, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has approved REWE's acquisition of a 50% stake in beverage wholesaler Trinks, concluding that the deal will not harm competition.

Dec 4, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has approved Hamelin Group's acquisition of Pelikan, concluding that the merger will not significantly hinder competition in the stationery market.

Nov 29, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has conditionally approved Veolia's acquisition of Friedrich Hofmann's subsidiaries, requiring the sale of a disposal site to maintain competition in the waste management sector.

Nov 14, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has determined that Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI does not require merger control notification in Germany, despite the significant investments made by Microsoft.

Nov 13, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has initiated proceedings against Coca-Cola for potentially abusing its market position in Germany, particularly regarding its rebate structure with food retailers.

Nov 7, 2023

At the G7 competition summit in Tokyo, member states emphasized the need for robust competition laws in the digital sector, particularly focusing on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Nov 6, 2023

The German Competition Act has been amended to enhance the Bundeskartellamt's authority, allowing it to address competition malfunctions without prior legal violations.

Nov 6, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has approved Bosch, Infineon, and NXP's acquisition of shares in a new semiconductor factory in Dresden, established by TSMC, emphasizing the importance of semiconductor access for the German industry.

Nov 5, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has successfully terminated anti-competitive price coordination among suppliers of medical aids, following a proceeding against the Working Group of Associations of Suppliers of Medical Aids.

Oct 29, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has approved REWE's acquisition of 15 grocery stores under the 'Mein Real' brand, contingent on further agreements with current lessors.

Oct 16, 2023

The 22nd Annual Conference of the International Competition Network will take place in Barcelona from October 18 to 20, 2023, with nearly 100 jurisdictions expected to participate.

Oct 4, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has secured commitments from Google to improve user control over data processing, addressing competition concerns in the digital market.

Sep 27, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has approved a joint venture between Rheinmetall and Ukrainian Defense Industry, aimed at enhancing military vehicle production and maintenance in Ukraine.

Sep 4, 2023

The Bundeskartellamt has cleared a cooperation project in the automotive sector aimed at standardizing wire harness production, indicating no competition law concerns.

Aug 16, 2023

Fuel prices in Germany have seen a significant increase since July, with diesel and E5/E10 prices rising steadily over the past month.