Stay informed about the latest developments in competition law in Central and Eastern Europe with Schoenherr's multi-jurisdictional newsletter. Each issue offers insight into developments in merger control, anti-trust, as well as public and private enforcement in the region.

This edition's main takeaways:

Antitrust

RPM infringement decisions in several countries, but notably, immunity from fine in one Austrian case.

Uptick in abuse of dominance cases in CEE.

Partial suspension of antitrust rules in Romania.

Merger Control

Several in-depth reviews of transactions in CEE, including prohibitions and repeals of prohibitions.

Hungary continues to impose fines for incomplete information.

Austrian authority publishes paper on "shutdown mergers".

Foreign Direct Investment Regulations

New laws enter into force in Austria and Poland.

Read the full newsletter online or download it here.

Table of Contents

Austria

  • Court finds Yamaha Music to have engaged in resale price maintenance, but no fine imposed 
  • Austrian court fines pool cleaning equipment firm for RPM 
  • Abuse of dominance claim against TenneT rejected 
  • New FDI Screening Act 
  • Authority publishes position paper on "Shutdown Mergers" 

Bulgaria

  • Eurohold/CEZ merger prohibition repealed by first instance court
  • Supreme Court repeals merger clearance for Sopharma Trading/Pharmastore

Czech Republic

  • City of Prague fined for unfair parking rules
  • E-cigarettes distributor fined for resale price maintenance

Hungary

  • Hungarian Competition Authority closes merger collusion probe with remedies
  • Annulment of Mastercard's abuse of dominance decision confirmed by top court
  • Second fine imposed by the GVH in telco merger case for false information

Poland

  • Competition authority will investigate fruit market over potential price fixing
  • New foreign investment rules entered into force
  • PKP Cargo appeal against abuse decision rejected by second instance court

Romania

  • Romanian Competition Council issues recommendations regarding access to movable mortgage registration services
  • Several competition law provisions currently suspended by the Constitutional Court

Slovakia

  • Antimonopoly Office investigating potential abuse of dominant position in carrying out collective management of rights

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.