Too often we tend to assume that if we can write down a question – in a request for information – then business can write down the answer just as simply. (This is the second article in what I hope will be a series covering “Mistakes the Other Side Make”. For an introduction to the series see here. It says a lot about the European Commission that they allow me to publish articles that admit […]

The European Commission’s positions on inability to pay competition fines, and on the failing firm defence under the merger regulation are superficially different, but the underlying policy concern is the same. The Commission’s 2006 Fining Guidelines envisaged the possibility that some fines ought to be reduced if a firm is unable to pay: “35. In exceptional cases, the Commission may, upon request, take account of the undertaking’s inability to pay in a specific social and […]

Most press comment has been on the Commission’s investigation into Google’s search practices. The Commission has another pending case, however, into Google’s handling of the Android operating system. Alfonso Lamadrid of Garrigues (disclosure: a friend) has written an excellent three part analysis of the complaints against Android lodged with the European Commission. Without commenting on any of his tentative conclusions, the articles highlight the issues to be considered better than anything else you’re likely to […]

Two years ago I wrote a short article (which I recently republished here) on why reducing competition fines because a company had a compliance policy would be a mistake. Since then, I’ve changed my mind. But only on the reasoning, not the result. At least for now. And I may change it again. There is fairly profound disagreement on this point between the Commission and many companies (and their advisers). The Commission does not want […]