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Suspected anti-competitive agreements in the musical instruments sector
Regulators have opened investigations into the musical instruments sector on the basis that there may be anti-competitive agreements that can be detrimental to the consumer.
The investigation has been launched by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) who are the UK’s primary watchdog when it comes to enforcing healthy competition. Anti-competitive agreements that result in cartels, price fixing, and other forms of collusion can be damaging to the consumer. Profits can be inflated for the businesses, and the consumer can end up paying more; which is the opposite to what healthy competition should ensure.
It’s therefore within the public’s interests for suspected anti-competitive agreements to be thoroughly investigated. If the consumer is being ripped off, the companies involved in the behaviour must be punished.
Antivirus software competition investigation
An antivirus software competition investigation has been launched by the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) in the last few months.
What’s interesting about this case is that it was launched as part of the wider reviews following the loyalty penalty super complaint initiated by Citizens Advice. The loyalty penalty super complaint could trigger a number of reviews across a wide range of market sectors.
If it’s all in the name of improving competition and enforcing compliance of the vital regulations that we have in place to protect consumers, we’re all for it.
Further action set for the CMA’s secondary ticketing and Viagogo case?
There’s more news in the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) secondary ticketing and Viagogo case. And it could be huge.
You may recall that we’ve been tracking this case for a while now. At the start of 2019, a Viagogo, StubHub and Ticketmaster were all required to undertake serious changes to their business behaviour. This came in to effect as of midnight on 17th January 2019.
However, the CMA conducted some simple checks on 24th January 2019. They say that they found that Viagogo had failed to comply with the court order against them. Now, Viagogo is potentially facing further legal action for contempt of court.
Court upholds ruling in galvanised steel tanks cartel investigations
The Court of Appeal has upheld a previous ruling obtained by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that’s related to the galvanised steel tanks cartel case.
Supplier Balmoral Tanks were fined £130,000.00 for exchanging competitively-sensitive information with competitors, despite refusing to engage in the main cartel they’d been invited to join. They’d tried to have the ruling overturned in 2017, which failed, and we’re glad to see the Court of Appeal has upheld the initial rulings.
The galvanised steel tanks cartel case has been a huge, long-running investigation involving the CMA. Although Balmoral were not a part of the main cartel, they still infringed vital competition law.
Latest in the statutory audit market study
The statutory audit market study was launched in October 2018, and we’re set to know more about the outcomes toward the end of this year.
This is a key market sector where the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) has raised a number of concerns that they’re looking into. Despite previous improvements in the sector that appear to have strengthened competition, Deloitte, E&Y, KPMG and PwC reportedly remain the “go-to” auditors for the majority of large companies.
There’s also a concern as to whether there’s a lack of incentive to produce challenging reviews in terms of the performance of the companies as well.
Brief update in the hypothyroidism tablets competition case
A brief update has been issued in the hypothyroidism tablets competition case surrounding alleged overcharging of liothyronine medication.
The liothyronine tablets are used to treat people lacking in thyroid hormones, which can lead to tiredness, slow metabolism, depression and other ailments. The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) spent a great deal of time in 2017 gathering evidence for the case. In November 2017, a statement of objections was formally issued.
Last month, an updated statement of objections was issued by the CMA in this incredibly important investigation.
Deadline set for the investigation into funeral costs
The deadline has been set for the investigation into funeral costs that appear to have soared in recent years.
We should know by May 2019 whether any further action is to be taken. This could be a formal investigation into whether breaches of consumer law is taking place, or additional studies of the market and its workings.
To point out the obvious, we’re all going to die at some point. Given that dying comes with costs, this is an important sector when it comes to healthy competition and consumer protection. That’s not just because the industry is worth billions, or the fact that it’s usually a sad time for many, but also because there’s always going to be a market for it (we assume!).
CMA initiates court action against Care UK
There’s been a huge development in the care homes consumer protection case. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated court action against Care UK.
We recently blogged about the developments in the care homes consumer protection case where pre-action letters had been sent. Now, they have proceeded with court action against Care UK.
The reason for the court action is because the CMA isn’t satisfied with the response from care UK following the investigations. Although they’ve stopped charging administration fees that the CMA had deemed to be breaking consumer protection laws, they haven’t agreed to refunds. The CMA has taken issue with their stance.
Crackdown after social media influencer investigation
A crackdown has been launched after a social media influencer investigation raised concerns that some product endorsements may be breaching vital competition law.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reportedly written to a number of high-profile celebrities about their social media influencing habits. As a result of the warning letters, some social medial influencers have promised to clearly state if they’re being rewarded for endorsing products. Among those who have made the formal commitments are singers Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding.
We welcome this move and the cooperation of those involved so far.
Pharmaceutical competition investigation extended
The pharmaceutical competition investigation has had a key deadline extended this month. The time being allowed for the analysis of information has been moved.
The ongoing pharmaceutical competition investigation is an important one. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking into potential breaches of important competition law. Specifically, they’re looking at two different generic pharmaceutical drugs and whether there are illegal anti-competitive agreements and conduct in place.
This is an important sector when it comes to healthy competition. Any breaches need to be severely punished.