英國競爭與市場管理局對ATG Media展開反壟斷調查

[導讀：據GCR報道，2016年11月22日，英國競爭與市場管理局（Competition and Markets Authority，「CMA」）對ATG Media展開了反壟斷調查。CMA表示，ATG Media涉嫌在在線拍賣服務市場排除新的市場進入者，對此CMA將對其可能影響英國拍賣服務市場競爭的涉嫌進行排他性和限制性定價行為，包括與在線銷售相關的MFN條款進行調查。此前，CMA曾收到BidonThis等公司對ATG Media的指控，其中指出，ATG Media在相關市場佔有超過50%的市場份額，其通過臨時降低傭金的方法，限制其競爭對手對拍賣房屋進行宣傳推廣。CMA還提到，其將展開調查並收集信息，並預計將在2017年5月就是否結束調查或繼續調查作出決定。（本文源自GCR網。導讀系本公眾號原創，轉載請註明文字出自本公眾號。）]

The UK』s Competition and Markets Authority is investigating ATG Media over allegations that the London-based company may have foreclosed new entrants from the market for the supply of online auction services in the UK, GCR has learned.

The CMA today said it has opened an investigation into 「suspected exclusionary and restrictive pricing practices, including most favoured nation provisions in respect of online sales」 potentially affecting the market for auction services in the UK. A spokesperson declined to confirm or deny the identity of the company or companies that the enforcer has targeted.

GCR understands that the enforcer is targeting ATG Media, one of whose businesses provides real-time online services to auction houses, in return for a commission on auction sales. Auction houses receive payments from successful bidders, then later pay the online auction platform its commission; bidders are ultimately responsible for choosing which platform to use.

The CMA has received a complaint from new entrant BidonThis that ATG Media holds a market share of more than 50%, and that it has responded to new competitors in the market that could offer lower commissions by attempting to restrict auction houses through quasi-exclusive deals.

The complaint outlined most-favoured nation clauses that may have affected auction houses. ATG』s contracts allow auction houses to advertise commission rates to bidders that are lower than its own in certain circumstances – but only when the houses offer ATG』s service at the same price, while still paying the full commission rate to the company.

The complaint also says ATG bans auction houses from advertising its rivals』 promotions, such as temporarily lower rates of commission.

A CMA spokesperson confirmed that the investigation began following the receipt of a complaint about 「a company or companies」, but declined to provide any further details of the investigation.

The authority today said it has not yet reached a view about whether there is enough evidence of a competition law infringement for it to issue a statement of objections. The enforcer will conduct an initial investigation and gather information, and estimates it will make a decision on whether to close the investigation or to proceed with it in May 2017.

Eulogy, ATG Media』s communications agency, did not respond to a request for comment.

--------------------

微信公共號名稱：「反壟斷實務評論」

我們致力於提供中國反壟斷法最新資訊，包括法規速遞、執法機關動態、行政執法、民事訴訟、中外反壟斷法交流、學術研究等。提供案例解析、理論介紹、律師實務操作指南，以及原創反壟斷法評論和文章，部分內容為中英文雙語。歡迎您的關注。

※英國物理學會出版社執行副總裁Jamie Hutchins：談IOPP與學術期刊發展
※[MD PHOTO] 英國歌手Ringo Starr訪韓演唱會現場
※英國出版商聯合發起「朱諾計劃」 對抗谷歌Facebook壟斷
※英國圖書出版集團收購Neon Play 進軍手游市場
※Boom Shakalaka！英國擬進行無人機撞客機測試
※走進英國最大魚市：倫敦海鮮市場Billingsgate Market
※英國脫歐 德國頂級藏家Heiner Pietzsch停止向英格蘭出借作品
※查理-普斯憑《Marvin Gaye》英國榜再奪
※英國權威機構解讀Freehold和Leasehold！
※英國指彈「龍捲風」Gareth Pearson《Little Bit Of Blues》
※真正的禁慾系，英國 Stanbrook 修道院
※英國UAL畢業：Camberwell插畫系大特輯
※英國的Afternoon Tea Bus
※6.9英國招聘信息總匯——Sony Pictures誠聘地區應急響應經理
※英國Hammerhead VR：用心詮釋真正的VR電影
※行走英國Walk the Great Britian-你在橋上看風景
※[看看]英國插畫師Charlie Davis：Good Talk
※匠人┃Mister Finch，英國，紡織藝術家
※英國為什麼會有Bank Holiday