Author: 21st Century Competition

France: Orange can’t keep Bouygues buyout plans under wraps for long (Competition Policy International)

Wireless giant Orange has reportedly hired banks to advise on its plans to acquire Bouygues, unnamed sources said.

Reports emerged weeks ago that the French company could be planning to make an offer for its competitor. Experts suggest the acquisition could reach a value of more than $8 billion.

While reports say …read more

EU: Rivals heighten last-ditch effort against Google settlement (Competition Policy International)

Competitors are taking their last chance to convince European Commissioner Joaquin Almunia that the planned settlement with Google over allegations of anticompetitive behavior is a mistake, according to reports.

Original complainants against Google, including its largest rival Microsoft, are reportedly meeting with regulators to thwart the settlement. According to reports, companies …read more

US: Bazaarvoice puts DOJ merger dispute behind (Competition Policy International)

Bazaarvoice, a leading consumer review website, has announced the finalization of the divestiture of rival PowerReviews, a company it acquired and was subsequently forced to sell after a lawsuit initiated by the US Department of Justice.

Reports say Bazaarvoice has finalized the deal to sell PowerReviews to Wavetable Labs for $30 …read more

EU: Cartel victims get big boost from EU Court of Justice (Competition Policy International)

The EU’s highest court issued a ruling Thursday that will aid in cartel victims’ fight for compensation in a major way.

According to reports, the Court of Justice issued its decision yesterday ruling that two elevator firms found to have conspired to fix prices can be held liable to higher market …read more