Abuse of selective distribution rules
18.12.2012
Question for written answer E-011569-12
to the Commission
Rule 117
Françoise Castex (S&D)
A recent opinion by the French competition authority on the functioning of electronic trade notes that new players such as online marketplaces spur on competition by reducing barriers to entry and making it easier to compare prices[1]. This authority recently sanctioned Bang & Olufsen for imposing restrictions on their authorised distributors[2], after flagging up the trend towards abuse of selective distribution rules by the manufacturers. The Commission will also have seen reports in the German press on certain brands of sports goods which forbid their distributors throughout Europe to use some online marketplaces. These practices are common in respect of many staple products in the internal market.
What steps is the Commission considering taking to sanction these abusive, unjustified and discriminatory practices, which are implemented by means of distribution agreements and which seriously curtail the development of electronic and mobile trade in the EU?
- [1] http://www.autoritedelaconcurrence.fr/user/standard.php?id_rub=417&id_article=1968.
- [2] http://www.autoritedelaconcurrence.fr/user/standard.php?id_rub=417&id_article=2010.
OJ C 340 E, 21/11/2013