EC Competition Law

This book contains a full account of the development of the subject over the last 45 years, of its current substantive rules and principles, and of the significant changes in its application likely in the near future. The development of competition law policy has been one of the most important features of the EC. It has a significant impact on many aspects of UK business, including pricing, distribution and the licensing of intellectual property rights, as well as the right to make acquisitions and joint ventures. A feature of this work is its emphasis on the importance of the historical development of this policy and its adaptation in the light of experience by the European Commission of many cases under Article 81 and 82. Topics receiving increased coverage in this substantially revised fourth edition include the uncovering and punishment of the participants in a large number of cartels; the development of the concept of the abuse of dominance; the increase in the number of major merger cases under the Merger Regulation; and the greater emphasis on the importance of co-operation between the Commission and the other competition authorities.There is also a detailed examination of the radical proposals by the Commission for the modernization of the system, which will impose new responsibilities on the courts and competition authorities of member states and raise new challenges for the Commission itself.
Firmly established as one of the leading texts in this area, the fourth edition of EC Competition Law has been thoroughly updated to take account of all the most important changes taking place now and in the very near future, setting this alongside a historical overview of this dynamic area of EC law.