CMA reaches amicable conclusion over anti-competitive behaviour in auction services industry

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have reached a resolution in their investigations over online auction services for alleged anti-competitive behaviour. ATG Media addressed the CMA’s concerns and will be committing to undertakings to prevent further behaviour that may be construed as anti-competitive in the future.

The CMA commenced investigations on the 22 November 2016 into the supply of live auction platform services available in the U.K. after two complaints were made. Both complaints alleged that ATG Media imposed certain practices that meant their bidders couldn’t use a cheaper competitor’s service.
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CMA investigates sports equipment seller Ping for alleged anti-competitive conduct

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) began investigations back in November 2015 over concerns that there was a restriction to competition in the sports equipment market.

On the 9^th June 2016, the CMA brought allegations against sports equipment seller Ping for suspected breaches of competition laws in the UK for prohibiting retailers from selling their gold clubs online.
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CMA remits part of its report about adverse effects on competition by the private healthcare industry

On 2^nd April 2014, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) produced a report that identified some players in the private healthcare sector were engaging in behaviour that had an adverse effect of competition.

HCA Healthcare UK is one of the private hospitals that was investigated.

In this report, the CMA found that some consultants and healthcare service providers didn’t always publicise their performance or fees for clients. By doing this, clients were potentially prevented from being able to effectively ‘shop around’ by comparing public and private services and costs associated with the latter.
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CMA stops investigating the auction house industry in return for commitments

An investigation into the auction house industry was opened on 22^nd November 2016 after allegations there had been an abuse of a dominant position by introducing exclusionary and restrictive pricing in respect of online sales.

ATG Media is the largest provider of live online bidding platforms in the U.K. These platforms are used by auction houses to enable online live bidding without bidders having to attend in person. In August and September 2016, the CMA investigated allegations that ATG Media had engaged in anti-competitive conduct in relation to the provision of live online bidding auction platform services.
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Alleged anti-competitive conduct from suppliers of Remicade drug

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been investigating the pharmaceutical industry since 1^st December 2015 for suspected breaches of competition laws.

In one investigation, it’s alleged that pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited (MSD) engaged and operated in an anti-competitive discount scheme for its medicine brand Remicade which is the biological medicine called infliximab.
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Six Somerset estate agents breaching anti-competition laws issued fines by the CMA

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have concluded their investigations into a handful of estate agents who were suspected of engaging in anti-competitive and cartel behaviour.

Six estate agents in Somerset are being held liable for breaching Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998 and were handed fines totalling £370,000. One of the agents escaped a fine as they were the first to confess their participation in the anti-competitive behaviour, and subsequently co-operated with the CMA in its investigation.
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CMA issues £1.5 million fine to several top model agencies

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ended investigations into several top model agencies and trade associations for anti-competitive behaviour.

The following model agencies were fined back in December 2016:

The Association of Model Agencies (AMA) was also fined £2,500.
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Four estate agents fined £372,233 for anti-competitive price-fixing

Four residential estate agencies admitted to anti-competitive practices for price-fixing and have been fined thousands of pounds as a result.

In December 2015, an investigation was launched by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after a previous CMA investigation into the advertising of fees in the estate and letting agency sector. The current investigation looked into whether the estate agents breached Chapter I of the Competition Act (CA). In simpler terms, Chapter I of the CA highlights agreements between companies that prevent, restrict or distort competition.

What they found was evidence of anti-competitive behaviour.
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Looking back on one of the biggest anti-competitive investigations in the construction industry…

Nearly 100 companies were fined up to £130 million for cover pricing back in 2009.

Back in November 2004, the now closed Office of Fair Trading (OFT) opened up their investigations into more than a hundred companies suspected of foul play in the infrastructure industry, mainly for cover pricing. Cover pricing is an illegal activity under the Competition Act in England and Wales where participants warp the tender process of bidding for a job.

In total, their investigation resulted in fines being issued to over 100 companies totalling nearly £130 million.
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The importance of the CMA in regulating the medical equipment industry

The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) recent decision to close their investigations into the medical equipment sector has raised concerns for many.

Although the competition watchdog didn’t come to a conclusive decision as to whether the medical equipment industry violated competition laws, they did however decide to close the case on ‘priority administrative grounds’.

This doesn’t mean that the industry are not guilty of anti-competitive behaviour though…
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