About: merger control

French economy ministry wants to overhaul EU competition policies

The French Ministry of Economy wants to change competition practices and trade policy in Europe. Its proposals also aim to tackle new digital conglomerates. EURACTIV France reports.

EU clamps down on letter box firms’ tax avoidance, social dumping

The European Commission on Wednesday (25 April) proposed new rules to clamp down on firms that relocate within the EU for the purpose of cutting their tax bills, setting up mere letter box companies.

EU eyes corporate rules shake-up with law on seat transfer

The European Commission is preparing a new directive on the cross-border transfer of company seats, a move that could have far-reaching implications for other areas of corporate governance, including tax planning and cross-border mergers, EURACTIV has learned.

EU Court rules against Spain in energy merger saga

The European Court of Justice has ruled against Spain's energy regulator, which previously succeeded in blocking a takeover attempt of Endesa by Germany's E.ON. Meanwhile, Brussels has said it will take a closer look at a blocked merger in Hungary's oil and gas sector.  

Google seeks to allay privacy fears over DoubleClick merger

The planned merger between Google and the leading provider of ad-serving tools, DoubleClick, will not involve the creation of a single database with consumer-related information, said Google's Privacy Counsel, Peter Fleischer, in a move aimed to allay growing privacy concerns in Europe.

Commission again clears music giants’ merger

The European Commission has cleared, for a second time and without imposing any 'remedies', the joint venture between music companies Sony and BMG, which had been set aside by the European Court of Justice in 2006.

Commission grounds Ryanair’s bid for Aer Lingus

The Commission decided, on 27 June 2007, to prohibit low-fare airline Ryanair from taking over Ireland's formerly state-owned airline Aer Lingus, arguing that the merger would kill off competition and consumer choice. 

E.ON drops Endesa bid amid protectionism concerns

The German energy giant dropped its €42.4 billion offer for Endesa, ending an 18-month battle that saw E.ON’s bid for the Spanish utility thwarted by repeated government intervention.

Music giants’ merger under renewed investigation

The Commission's anti-trust department has re-opened in-depth investigations into the merger of Sony and Bertelsmann BMG, which has created one of the largest music companies in the world.

Kroes warns against protectionism in EU energy markets

Artificially created national champions may have short-term appeal but are often to the long-term detriment of European consumers and competitiveness, the EU's competition commissioner has said.

Court rolls back music merger

The European Court of First Instance has overturned the Commission's 2004 decision to clear the merger of the music units of Sony and BMG Bertelsmann, putting future mergers in the music industry in question.

Brief – EU court rules blocked packaging merger lawful

The Commission's blocking in 2001 of the merger between Tetra Laval (packaging, Switzerland/Sweden) and Sidel (plastic bottles, France) has been definitively overruled by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

EU to have new merger control rules from 1 May 2004

The ECOFIN meeting of 20 January 2004 gave its final approval to the EU's new Merger Regulation.

Council approves new merger rules

The Competitiveness Council adopted on 27 November new rules giving the Commission more power to investigate merger deals.

Cross-border mergers to be made simpler

The Commission has tabled a proposal for a directive on cross-border mergers to overcome obstacles presented by differences in national legislation.

EU’s merger control to be reorganised

The Commission's DG Competition will undergo a profound restructuring to increase its efficiency in view of enlargement and of recent setbacks in Court

EU’s merger control faces comprehensive reform

The European Commission presented on 11 December its long-awaited proposals for a comprehensive overhaul of its merger control regime.

Monti unveils details of his upcoming merger review

Addressing a conference in Brussels on 7 November, Competition Commissioner Mario Monti unveiled some details of his plans to reform the EU's antitrust rules. More transparency and better access to the Commission's dossier, an extended timeframe, an improved economic analysis and consumer involvement are some of the main elements of Mr Monti's future proposals.

Court annuls second Commission merger veto in one week

The EU's Court of First Instance has overturned for the second time in one week the Commission's decision to block a merger between two companies.

Commission will study Court ruling on Schneider/Legrand merger

The EU's Court of First Instance overturned on 22 October a decision by the Commission's Competition Authority to bar a merger between French companies Schneider and Legrand.

Historical Court ruling could change merger rules

The European Court of First Instance on 6 June overturned a Commission decision to block a merger between UK tour operators Airtours and First Choice. The ruling could pave the way for more legal appeals by companies whose mergers might be blocked by the Commission's Competition authority.

Competition Policy 2002: Globalisation and Decentralisation

The fifth "European Competition Day" held on 26 February in Madrid, focused on competition policy and the consumer. In 2002, the EU's agenda will include the discussion of a multi-lateral framework on competition policy, a review of the merger control regulation and the decentralisation of the implementation of competition policy.

EU drops its investigation of Intel

The Commission has closed its investigation into the competitive practices of Intel.

Commission approves HP-Compaq merger

The Commission has approved the acquisition of Compaq Computer Corporation by Hewlett-Packard Company, two US-based global providers of computing and enterprise technology solutions. The merger is the largest ever in the Information Technology sector.