Author: 21st Century Competition

UK: Full energy investigation launched (Competition Policy International)

As speculated earlier this week the UK’s competition and Markets Authority has launched a full investigation into Britain’s energy market amid rising electricity costs and claims of an anticompetitive climate.

According to reports, energy regulator Ofgem announced Thursday that the CMA’s market inquiry will ensure “once and for all” that the …read more

US: Stryker countersues rivals in IP spat (Competition Policy International)

Stryker Corporation, a maker of medical equipment, is reportedly pursuing legal action against rivals Medtronic, Orthophoenix, and IP Navigation for what it considers “patent troll” behavior.

Stryker filed a legal complaint against the firms in Delaware, claiming that the companies engaged in a conspiracy to sue Stryker for patent infringement. According …read more

EU: Olympic skaters file antitrust complaint (Competition Policy International)

Two Olympic speed skaters from the Netherlands have filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission against the International Skating Union and its ban on the skaters participating in an unapproved event.

Reports say Mark Tuitert and Niels Kersthold have asked the Commission to intervene in how the ISU regulates skaters, …read more

China: ZTE, Vringo patent tensions rise (Competition Policy International)

Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE announced Wednesday that it has formally requested patent officials to invalidate various patents from US rival Vringo.

According to reports, ZTE has asked the Patent Re-examination Board of the State Intellectual Property Office to nullify 32 patents owned by Vringo and its subsidiaries, and reports say …read more