Microsoft receives massive fine for failing to comply with 2004 EU ruling
The European Commission has fined the world's largest software group, Microsoft, A$474 million for failing to comply with a 2004 antitrust ruling which found Microsoft had abused its dominant position. Neelie Kroes, EU competition commissioner, said Microsoft had come ‘not even close’ to complying with the EU's demand for complete and accurate information enabling inter-operability between Microsoft’s Windows operating system and rivals' work-group servers.
Japan calls for relaxed merger rules
The Japanese Trade Ministry has called for the country’s merger restrictions to be eased. The ministry wants the domestic market share threshold to be increased from 35 to 50 per cent to enable Japanese companies to consolidate and compete better with global rivals. The Fair Trade Commission, which is expected to oppose the proposition, is currently reviewing the merger assessment criteria which contain the guidelines limiting post-merger market share to 35 per cent and is due to outline revised criteria by March 2007.
European court annuls Sony BMG merger
The Court of First Instance (CFI) has annulled the 2004 merger of Sony Corporation and Bertelsmann AG's music units. The CFI's decision forces the two companies to refile their blueprints for Sony BMG Music Entertainment to the European Commission. The European Commission would then have three options: it could provide further justification for allowing the deal that reduced the industry's big players from five to four, order the companies to divest some subsidiary labels, or theoretically break up the two-year-old joint venture.
OECD releases report on the implementation of the cross-border fraud guidelines
In June 2003, the OECD Council adopted the OECD Guidelines for protecting consumers from fraudulent and deceptive commercial practices across borders. Three years after their release, the OECD has released a report which highlights key member country achievements in implementing the guidelines. The guidelines have served as a valuable tool to help member countries develop adequate domestic and international legal frameworks to effectively combat all sorts of online and offline fraud and to protect consumer confidence in the global marketplace.
Cartel uncovered in Netherlands’ prefab concrete market
The Netherlands competition authority, NMa, has imposed fines totalling A$8.4 million on 12 manufacturers of prefabricated concrete piles and concrete floor elements for cartel offences. The companies had allegedly coordinated their individual production and sales volumes. To date the NMa has sent statements of objection to over 1400 companies in the construction sector and related sectors as part of its ongoing investigation into the construction industry.
