On June 1, 2023, the European Commission (EC) adopted revised Horizontal Guidelines (HGs) and two updated block exemption regulations (BERs) on research and development (R&D) and “specialisation” agreements. These materials...more
The European Commission has now published the final text of the revised Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and the accompanying Guidelines on Vertical Restraints. The new rules will enter into force on 1 June 2022 and...more
On May 10 2022, the EU Commission adopted the new Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and Vertical Guidelines. The regulation includes several significant new developments including readjusting the safe harbour and providing...more
The Background: The European Commission ("Commission") recently unveiled long-awaited draft revisions to its Vertical Block Exemption Regulation ("VBER") and Vertical Guidelines. The VBER includes safe harbors that exempt...more
The European Commission has taken a significant step toward the revision of the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER) and the Vertical Guidelines. With its evaluation phase ending, the Commission has recently presented...more
Part 1: Expected Policy Changes in a Rapidly Changing World – and What this Means for Business - The European Commission has taken a significant step towards the revision of the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER)...more
On Sept. 8, 2020, the European Commission published its Staff Working Document summarizing the findings of the evaluation of the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER) applicable to vertical agreements and the VBER’s...more
European Commission publishes findings of its evaluation of EU competition rules on vertical agreements - On September 8, the European Commission (EC) published a Staff Working Document summarising the findings of its...more
The Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER)—the antitrust legislation governing most vertical arrangements in Europe—entered into force on June 1, 2010. Among other things, it creates a safe harbor for vertical agreements...more
The European Commission has reiterated its position that if a business allows for the non-exclusive licensing of its products in the EEA, such licensor can no longer control where, to whom, and in what manner...more
The e-commerce sector inquiry and inconsistent national case law and enforcement practice have illustrated the need for clarifications and/or reform regarding e-commerce restrictions. Even after the ECJ's Coty judgment, a...more