Our European competition practice is centered in Brussels, and coordinates closely on many global projects with our US antitrust group. We routinely advise clients on all aspects of competition law including cartels, merger control, abuse of a dominant position, joint ventures, distribution arrangements, and diverse commercial transactions. Our clients come from around the world and a variety of industries. They include Microsoft, Bacardi, the Business Software Alliance, Chiron, Coty, Electronic Arts, Eli Lilly, GPC Biotech, Harley Davidson, Hochtief, JLG Industries, Kuwait Petroleum, Procter & Gamble, and Qualcomm.
Representative Matters
Merger Clearances
- Obtaining European antitrust clearances for Electronic Arts, one of the world’s leading video game publishers, in connection with various acquisitions.
- Obtaining European antitrust clearances for Coty, one of the leading makers of fragrances, in connection with its $850 million acquisition of Unilever’s worldwide prestige fragrance business.
- Obtaining European antitrust clearances for Hochtief, one of the leading international providers of construction-related services.
Cartels
Abuse of Dominant Position
- Serving as co-counsel to Microsoft before the European Court of First Instance in its appeal of a fine of €280.5 million imposed by the European Commission.
- Assisting various clients and bar organizations in commenting on the European Commission’s review of its policy under Article 82.
Litigation
- Representing the Association of Corporate Counsel Europe as an intervenor in the landmark Akzo case dealing with legal privilege in competition investigations.
- Representing Qualcomm in challenging the European Commission’s clearance of a joint venture between Deutsche Telekom and DaimlerChrysler.
Distribution
- Representing a leading manufacturer in the automotive sector in establishing and managing its EU distribution system, at wholesale and retail levels, including sales and rental channels.
- Representing several US manufacturers in terminating existing distributorship arrangements in Germany, France, Poland, the Scandinavian countries, and Benelux.
- Representing a leading international supplier of alcoholic beverages in structuring and managing its European distribution system.
Licensing
- Advising numerous pharmaceutical and biotech companies on the European component of their global in-licensing and co-development transactions.
- Assisting trade associations in the pharma and software sectors in their legislative advocacy efforts in connection with the 2004 revision of the Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation and Guidelines.
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