Antitrust

Competition law developments in 2022

While 2022 revolved around new and improved regulatory tools, the focus in 2023 will be on putting these tools to use. More merger-related obligations, digital sector scrutiny and clarity on competition-law and consumer-law aspects is imminent.

Stibbe Brussels reinforces Public Law and EU/Competition Law practices with two Counsel appointments

Stibbe Brussels has promoted Sophie Adriaenssen to Counsel in its Public Law practice group and has welcomed Quentin Declève as Counsel in its EU/Competition Law practice. The appointments are effective as per 1 January 2023.

Stibbe Bruxelles renforce ses pratiques en droit public et en droit de l'UE/de la concurrence par la nomination de deux Counsel

Le bureau bruxellois de Stibbe a nommé Sophie Adriaenssen en tant que Counsel au sein de sa pratique de droit public. Le cabinet a également accueilli Quentin Declève en tant que Counsel au sein de sa pratique de droit de l'UE/de la concurrence.

Stibbe Brussel versterkt praktijken Publiekrecht en EU/Competition met twee counselbenoemingen

Stibbe Brussel heeft Sophie Adriaenssen benoemd tot Counsel in zijn praktijkgroep Publiekrecht. Het kantoor heeft daarnaast Quentin Declève verwelkomd als Counsel in zijn praktijkgroep EU/Competition. De nieuwe benoemingen gelden vanaf 1 januari 2023.

Quentin Declève

Counsel Brussels

Spooked no more: antitrust safe harbour for solo self-employed persons

The Commission’s guidelines on collective agreements clarify the manoeuvre room solo self-employed persons have under the competition rules to collectively boost their working conditions. A Directive on platform work working conditions is on the way.

Digital Markets Act: “with great power must come great responsibility”

The countdown is on for digital giants. The entry into force of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) on 1 November 2022 triggered a to do list for potential gatekeepers with 2 May 2023 as the next key date to keep in mind: see our DMA infographic.

Sense and sensibility in sustainability collaborations

The ACM’s push for companies to come forward for an antitrust blessing of their sustainability solutions is paying off. The ACM has again given informal guidance to companies wishing to make sustainability agreements.

Google Android-ruling: Commission flunks AEC test once again

The AEC test has likely assumed mythic status at the European Commission with the EU courts striking down its AEC analysis for a third time. Nevertheless, the Commission seems on the right track to tackling abuse of dominance in the digital sector.

Caitlin De Luyck

Junior Associate Brussels

Stibbe advises Schindler

Acting as defence counsel for Schindler Holding and its subsidiary Schindler Liften in antitrust damage litigation in both the Utrecht District Court and the Rotterdam District Court

Stibbe advises KLM and Martinair

Representing KLM and its subsidiary Martinair in antitrust damage litigation in what is alleged to be Europe's largest ever cartel damage claim.

COVID-19 impacts level and payment of antitrust fines

As well as granting companies leeway on certain COVID-19 initiated collaborations (see our May 2020 newsletter), the coronavirus outbreak has also led competition authorities to take a more lenient stance towards fine calculations and payments.

Commission reveals first piece of antitrust sustainability puzzle

The European Commission has published a Policy Brief setting out its preliminary views on how to fit the European Green Deal’s sustainability goals into the EU competition rules.

Take note(s): Qualcomm’s EUR 1 billion dominance abuse fine quashed

The General Court annulled the Commission’s EUR 1 billion fine imposed on Qualcomm for abuse of dominance on the LTE chipsets market.