EUROPEAN COMMISSION Competition DG Information, communication and multimedia Media
March 2005
EU COMPETITION POLICY IN THE MEDIA SECTOR
COMMISSION DECISIONS
(Compilation 2005)
This compilation assembles decisions of the European Commission in the media sector for ease of reference. The compilation comprises formal Commission decisions on the basis of Articles 81 and 82 (Council Regulation No 17 of 6 February 1962 implementing Articles 85 and 86 of the EEC Treaty and, as of 1st May 2004, Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty1) and decisions under the EU's Merger Regulation (Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 of 21 December 1989 and Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings2) and under the EC Competition Law State Aid rules.
The compilation is selective: not all formal decisions in the media sector are reproduced. In particular a number of decisions based on article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 are not reproduced.
For more complete information, reference should be made to DG Competition's website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/competition/.
In addition to the formal decisions this compilation includes a table of recent DG COMP press releases and speeches3 in the media sector. It also includes reprints of the most important Communications and EC directives on media.
For further information concerning these directives, please refer to the following websites:
• DG Information Society and Media - http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/information_society/ • DG Internal Market - http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/internal_market/.
Only European Union legislation published in the paper editions of the Official Journal of the European Communities is deemed authentic.
1 Council Regulation No 17 of 6 February OJ, No 13, 21.2.1962, p.204, as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 1216/1999 of 10 June 1999, OJ L 148, 15.6.1999, p. 5. Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1 replaced Regulation 17/62 when it came into application on 1.5.2004. 2 Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 of 21 December 1989 OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p.1, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 1310/97 of 30 June 1997, OJ L 180, 9.7.1997, p. 1 and Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p 1. 3 Please note that the opinions expressed are personal and only engage the author.
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 2 08/04/2005
I N D E X
Chronological list of Decisions in the Media sector 4
List of Recent Press Releases 16
List of Recent Speeches 20
Communications and EC Directives in the audiovisual field (selective) 23
Other internet sites of relevance to the Media sector 26
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 3 08/04/2005
Chronological list of decisions in the Media sector
This volume covers the period January 1998 – March 2005
Court case No. Name Date Type OJ
M.1081 DOW JONES / NBC - 22.01.1998 Merger: C 083, 18.03.1998 CNBC EUROPE Art. 6(1)(b) p. 4 non-opposition
M.1022 CABLE I TELEVISIO 28.01.1998 Merger: C 101, 03.04.1998 DE CATALUNYA Art. 6(1)(b) p. 31 (CTC) non-opposition
M.1091 CABLEUROPA / 28.01.1998 Merger: C 097, 31.03.1998 SPAINCO / CTC Art. 6(1)(b) p. 8 non-opposition
JV.1 TELIA / TELENOR / 27.05.1998 Merger: C 220, 31.07.1999 SCHIBSTED Art. 6(1)(b) p. 28 non-opposition
M.993 BERTELSMANN / 27.05.1998 Merger: L 053, 27.02.1999 KIRCH / PREMIERE Art. 8(3) p. 1 incompatibility
M.1027 DEUTSCHE 27.05.1998 Merger: L 053, 27.02.1999 TELEKOM / Art. 8(3) p. 31 BETARESEARCH incompatibility
JV.5 CEGETEL / CANAL + / 04.08.1998 Merger: C 024, 28.01.2000 AOL / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 4 BERTELSMANN non-opposition
M.1275 HAVAS / 27.08.1998 Merger: C 139, 19.05.1999 BERTELSMANN / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 4 DOYMA non-opposition
M.1219 SEAGRAM / 21.09.1998 Merger: C 309, 09.10.1998 POLYGRAM Art. 6(1)(b) p. 8 non-opposition
M.1401 RECOLETOS / 01.02.1999 Merger: C 073, 17.03.1999 UNEDISA Art. 6(1)(b) p. 8 non-opposition
M.1411 DEUTSCHE BANK / 03.02.1999 Merger: C 060, 02.03.1999 CORAL Art. 6(1)(b) p. 10 non-opposition
M.1377 BERTELSMANN / 15.02.1999 Merger: C 122, 04.05.1999 WISSENSCHAFTSVE Art. 6(1)(b) p. 19 RLAG SPRINGER non-opposition
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 4 08/04/2005
Court case No. Name Date Type OJ
NN 70/98 STATE AID TO 24.02.1999 State aid: C 238, 21.08.1999 PUBLIC Authorisation p. 3 BROADCASTING CHANNELS 'KINDERKANAL' AND 'PHOENIX'
36.237 TPS 03.03.1999 Antitrust: L 090, 02.04.1999 T-112/99 exemption with p. 6 condition/ obligation
M.1488 WILLIAM HILL / 26.03.1999 Merger: C 109, 20.04.1999 CINVEN / CVC Art. 6(1)(b) p. 5 non-opposition
M.1455 GRUNER + JAHR / 20.04.1999 Merger: C 247, 31.08.1999 FINANCIAL TIMES / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 5 JV non-opposition
JV.16 BERTELSMANN / 05.05.1999 Merger: C 186, 02.07.1999 VIAG / GAME Art. 6(1)(b) p. 8 CHANNEL non-opposition
M.1459 BERTELSMANN / 06.05.1999 Merger: C 176, 22.06.1999 HAVAS / BOL Art. 6(1)(b) p. 11 non-opposition
M.1574 KIRCH / MEDIASET 03.08.1999 Merger: C 255, 08.09.1999 Art. 6(1)(b) p. 3 non-opposition
36.539 BRITISH 15.09.1999 Antitrust: L 312, 06.12.1999 INTERACTIVE exemption with p. 1 BROADCASTING condition/ obligation
NN 88/98 FINANCING OF A 24- 29.09.1999 State aid: C 78, 18.03.2000 HOUR Authorisation p. 6 ADVERTISING-FREE NEWS CHANNEL WITH LICENCE FEE BY BBC
M.1439 TELIA / TELENOR 13.10.1999 Merger: L 040, 09.02.2001 Art. 8(2) with p. 1 conditions & obligations
M.1701 GRUNER + JAHR / 24.11.1999 Merger: C 009, 13.01.2000 DEKRA / FAIRCAR Art. 6(1)(b) p. 8 non-opposition
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 5 08/04/2005
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
JV.33 HEARST / VNU 15.12.1999 Merger: C 143, 16.05.2001 Art. 6(1)(b) p. 7 non-opposition
JV.30 BVI TELEVISION 03.02.2000 Merger: C 095, 04.04.2000 (EUROPE) / SPE Art. 6(1)(b) p. 3 EUROMOVIES non-opposition INVESTMENTS / EUROPE MOVIECO PARTNERS
JV.39 BERTELSMANN / 28.02.2000 Merger: C 125, 04.05.2000 PLANETA / NEB Art. 6(1)(b) p. 10 non-opposition
JV.37 B SKY B / KIRCH PAY 21.03.2000 Merger: C 110, 15.04.2000 T-158/00 TV Art. 6(2) with p. 45 conditions & obligations
M.1889 CLT-UFA / CANAL+ / 21.03.2000 Merger: C 134, 13.05.2000 VOX Art. 6(1)(b) p. 13 non-opposition
32.150 EUROVISION 10.05.2000 Antitrust: L 151, 24.06.2000 T-185/00, exemption with p. 18 + T-216/00, condition/ IP/00/472 T-299/00,
obligation T-300/00
(11.6.1993) (L 179, C-470/02 (22.7.1993) p. 23)
JV.45 BERTELSMANN / 12.05.2000 Merger: C 212, 25.07.2000 KOOPERATIVA Art. 6(1)(b) p. 15 FÖRBUNDET / BOL non-opposition NORDIC
JV.40 CANAL+ / 22.06.2000 Merger: C 002, 05.01.2001 LAGARDERE / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 2 CANALSATELLITE non-opposition
M.1958 BERTELSMANN / 29.06.2000 Merger: C 180, 26.06.2001 GBL / PEARSON TV Art. 6(1)(b) p. 14 non-opposition
JV.48 VODAFONE / 20.07.2000 Merger: C 118, 20.05.2003 VIVENDI / CANAL Art. 6(2) with p. 25 + PLUS conditions & IP/00/821 obligations
M.1943 TELEFONICA / 11.07.2000 Merger: C 235, 17.08.2000 ENDEMOL Art. 6(1)(b) p. 6 non-opposition
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 6 08/04/2005
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
M.2147 VNU / HEARST / 25.09.2000 Merger: C 016, 18.01.2001 STRATOSFERA Art. 6(1)(b) p. 7 non-opposition
M.1845 AOL / TIME WARNER 11.10.2000 Merger: L 268, 09.10.2001 Art. 8(2) with p. 28 conditions & obligations
M.2050 VIVENDI / CANAL+ / 13.10.2000 Merger: C 311, 31.10.2000 SEAGRAM Art. 6(2) with p. 3 conditions & obligations
M.2165 GRUNER+JAHR / 27.10.2000 Merger: C 196, 12.07.2001 PUBLIGROUPE / G+J Art. 6(1)(b) p. 6 MEDIEN non-opposition
M.2124 ISP / ESPN / 04.12.2000 Merger: C 190, 06.07.2001 GLOBOSAT - JV Art. 6(1)(b) p. 10 non-opposition
M.2211 UNIVERSAL STUDIO 20.12.2000 Merger: C 363, 19.12.2001 NETWORKS / DE Art. 6(1)(b) p. 31 FACTO 829 (NTL) / non-opposition STUDIO CHANNEL LIMITED
M.2336 THOMSON 28.02.2001 Merger: C 206, 24.07.2001 MULTIMEDIA / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 8 TECHNICOLOR non-opposition
37.576 UEFA'S 19.04.2001 Antitrust: L 171, 26.06.2001 BROADCASTING negative p. 12 REGULATIONS clearance
M.2222 UGC / LIBERTY 24.04.2001 Merger: C 172, 16.06.2001 MEDIA Art. 6(1)(b) p. 20 non-opposition
M.2407 BERTELSMANN / RTL 11.05.2001 Merger: C 291, 17.10.2001 GROUP Art. 6(1)(b) p. 5 non-opposition
M.2471 ACCENTURE / 26.07.2001 Merger: C 327, 22.11.2001 LAGARDERE /JV Art. 6(1)(b) p. 16 non-opposition
M.2487 BERTELSMANN / 23.08.2001 Merger: C 279, 03.10.2001 ARNOLDO Art. 6(1)(b) p. 7 MONDADORI / JV non-opposition
M.2572 TIME / IPC 12.10.2001 Merger: C 321, 16.11.2001 Art. 6(1)(b) p. 8 non-opposition
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 7 08/04/2005
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
M.2483 GROUP CANAL + / 13.11.2001 Merger: Not RTL / GJCD / JV Art. 6(1)(b) published non-opposition in OJ IP/01/1579
M.2643 BLACKSTONE / 23.11.2001 Merger: C 358, 15.12.2001 CDPQ / DETEKS BW Art. 6(1)(b) p. 12 non-opposition
M.2652 BLACKSTONE / 23.11.2001 Merger: C 358, 15.12.2001
CDPQ / DETEKS Art. 6(1)(b) p. 11
NRW non-opposition
M.2616 DEUTSCHE BANK / 27.11.2001 Merger: C 51, 26.02.2002 TDC / JV Art. 6(1)(b) p. 28 non-opposition
M.2550 MEZZO/MUZZIK 06.12.2001 Merger: C 21, 24.01.2002 Art. 6(1)(b) p. 29 non-opposition
N 548/01 Aid to local television 13.02.2002 State aid: C 150, 22.06.2002 stations in the French- Authorisation p. 7 speaking community in Belgium
N 142/02 Scheme of Aid to 09.04.2002 State aid: C 238, 03.10.2002 cinema Production and Authorisation p. 11 Film related activities
JV.57 TPS 30.04.2002 Merger: C 137, 08.06.2002 Art. 6(1)(b) p. 28 +IP/02/645 non-opposition
M.2766 VIVENDI UNIVERSAL 03.05.2002 Merger: C 154, 28/06/2002 / HACHETTE / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 9
MULTITHEMATIQUES non-opposition
M.2723 RTL / 21.05.2002 Merger: C 201, 24.08.2002 PROSIEBENSAT.1 / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 20 VG MEDIA non-opposition
N 631/01 BBC LICENCE FEE 22.05.2002 State Aid: C 23, 30.01.2003 approval p. 6 without opening proceedings – no aid
37.219 BANGHALTER & DE 12.08.2002 Antitrust: Not HOMEM CHRISTO / Rejection of published SACEM complaint in OJ
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 8 08/04/2005
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
M.2845 SOGECABLE / 14.08.2002 Merger: Not T-346/02 CANALSATÉLITE Art. 9 published T-347/02 DIGITAL / VÍA Referral to the in OJ DIGITAL Spanish IP/02/1216 T-443/03 Competition Authorities
M.2883 BERTELSMANN / 02.09.2002 Merger: C 223, 19.09.2002 ZOMBA Art. 6(1)(b) p. 13 non-opposition
38.014 INTERNATIONAL 08.10.2002 Antitrust: L 107, 30.04.2003 FEDERATION OF Exemption p. 58 + THE with IP/02/1436 PHONOGRAPHIC conditions/ INDUSTRY obligations
M.2996 RTL / CNN / TIME 05.11.2002 Merger: C 310, 13.12.2002 WARNER / N-TV Art. 6(1)(b) p. 23 non-opposition
M.2925 CHARTERHOUSE/ 15.11.2002 Merger: C 327, 28.12.2002 DCD/ Art. 6(1)(b) p. 13 + TELEDIFFUSION DE non-opposition IP/02/1690 FRANCE SA
M.2783 MEDIATRADE/ 16.12.2002 Merger: C 320, 20.12.2002 ENDEMOL/ JV Art. 6(1)(b) p. 8 non-opposition
M.3018 CANDOVER / 18.12.2002 Merger: C 327, 28.12.2002 CINVEN / KAP Art. 6(1)(b) p. 11 non-opposition
M.3085 SCHRODERS 13.02.2003 Merger: C 042, 21.02.2003 VENTURES LIMITED / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 7 PREMIERE non-opposition
M.3031 BURDA / HDP / 21.02.2003 Merger: C 047, 27.02.2003 CATHERINE NEMO Art. 6(1)(b) p. 3 non-opposition
M.2995 APAX EUROPE V / 28.2.2003 Merger: C 052, 06.03.2003 GOLDMAN SACHS / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 14 PROVIDENCE / non-opposition TELEKOM CABLE / JV
M.3100 MEDIASET / 28.03.2003 Merger: C 100, 26.04.2003 TELECINCO / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 23 PUBLIESPAÑ non-opposition
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 9 08/04/2005
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
M.2876 NEWSCORP/ 02.04.2003 Merger: L 110, 16.04.2004 TELEPIU Art. 8(2) with p. 73 + conditions & IP/03/478 obligations
M.3183 HOLTZBRINK 25.06.2003 Merger: C 155, 03.07.2003 NETWORXS / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 2 WELTBILD / T- non-opposition ONLINE VENTURE /
BERTELSMANN ONLINE
M.3162 HEARST / DE 01.07.2003 Merger: C 204, 29.08.2003 TELEGRAAF Art. 6(1)(b) p.10 TIJDSCHRIFTEN / JV non-opposition
37.398 UEFA 23.07.2003 Antitrust: L 291, 08.11.2003 Exemption p.25 + with IP/03/1105 conditions/ obligations
NN 42/03 France 23.07.2003 State Aid: C 219, 16.09.2003 (ex N Modification d’un approval p. 3 725/02) régime d’aide à without l’expression opening radiophonique proceedings - no objections
M.3197 CANDOVER / 29.07.2003 Merger: C 207, 03.09.2003 CINVEN / Art. 6(2) p. 25 + BERTELSMANN- non-opposition IP/03/1130 SPRINGER with conditions & obligations
M.3223 ONEX / KIEFT / NEUE 04.08.2003 Merger: C 199, 23.08.2003 FILMPALAST Art. 6(1)(b) p. 15 non-opposition
M.3240 LIBERTY MEDIA/ 25.08.2003 Merger: Not QVC Art. 6(1)(b) published non-opposition in OJ
N 37/2003 BBC DIGITAL 01.10.2003 State Aid : C 271, 12.11.2003 CURRICULUM approval p. 47 without opening proceedings - no objections
N 313/ Recapitalisation of TV 06.10.2004 State Aid: 2004 2 Denmark approval without opening proceedings – no objections
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 10 08/04/2005
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
C 62/1999 CAPITAL INCREASE 15.10.2003 State Aid: L 199, 23.04.2004 AND OTHER closing formal p. 1 MEASURES - RAI proceedings – positive
C 85/2001 Aide dans le secteur 15.10.2003 State Aid : Not T-442/03 audiovisuel en faveur closing formal published du financement de la proceedings - in OJ télévision publique positive portugaise (RTP)
N Förderung der 15.10.2003 State Aid : C 295, 05.12.2003 261/2003 Filmwirtschaft in approval p. 15 Deutschland – without bundesweite Regelung opening “Filmförderungsgesetz proceedings - “ no objections
C 60/1999 Capital increase and 10.12.2003 State Aid: L 361, 08.12.2004 T-144/04 other ad hoc subsidies closing formal p. 21 to France TV proceedings - positive
N 353/ Northern Ireland film 10.12.2003 State Aid: C 41, 17.02.2004 2003 production fund approval p. 6 without opening proceedings - no objections
M.3322 POLESTAR / PRISA / 15.12.2003 Merger: C 31, 05.02.2004 INVERSIONES Art. 6(1)(b) p. 19 + IBERSUIZAS / JV non-opposition IP/03/1736
N 513/ Fernsehfilmförderungs 16.12.2003 State Aid: C 65, 13.03.2004 2003 fonds approval p. 6 without opening proceedings - no objections
N 530/ Extension of the 16.12.2003 State Aid: C 67, 17.03.2004 2003 scheme for supporting approval p. 12 film production without in The Netherlands opening proceedings - no objections
M.3303 GE / VIVENDI 19.12.2003 Merger: C 6, 10.01.2004 UNIVERSAL Art. 6(1)(b) p. 22 ENTERTAINMENT non-opposition
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 11 08/04/2005
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
38.287 TELENOR + CANAL+ 29.12.2003 Antitrust: Not + CANAL DIGITAL Exemption published decision in OJ IP/04/2
M.2978 LAGARDERE / 05.06.2003 Merger: Not NATEXIS / VUP Art. 6(1)(c) published opening of in OJ in-depth IP/03/808 investigation
23.07.2003 Merger: IP/03/1078 Art. 9
07.01.2004 Merger: L 125, 28.04.2004 T-279/04 Art. 8(2) p. 54 +IP/04/15 compatible with conditions & obligations
03.08.2004 Commission accepts IP/04/1013 Wendel Investissement as buyer of the assets of Editis (formerly Vivendy Universal Publishing) divested by Lagardère
M.3330 RTL/M6 12.03.2004 Merger: C 095, 20.04.2004 Art. 6(1)(b) p. 35 +IP/04/337 non-opposition
37.761 Euromax / Imax 25.03.2004 Antitrust: Not Rejection of published complaint in OJ
M.3411 UGC / NOOS 18.05.2004 Merger: C 177, 09.07.2004 Art. 6(1)(b) p.4 IP/04/652 non-opposition
C 2/2003 STATE FUNDING OF 19.05.2004 State Aid: Not T-309/04 TV2/DENMARK closing formal published T-317/04 proceedings in OJ T-329/04 IP/04/666 T-336/04
M.3426 ADVENT / 27.05.2004 Merger: C 148, 03.06.2004 SPORTFIVE Art. 6(1)(b) p. 5 non-opposition
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 12 08/04/2005
M.3355 APOLLO / JP 15.06.2004 Merger: C 206, 14.08.2004 MORGAN / Art. 6(1)(b) p. 5 + PRIMACOM non-opposition IP/04/752
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
M.3420 GIMD / SOCPRESSE 16.06.2004 Merger: C 265, 28.10.2004 Art. 6(2) p. 3 + non-opposition IP/04/765 with conditions & obligations
N 181/ MFG Filmförderung 16.06.2004 State Aid: Not 2004 approval published without in OJ opening proceedings - no objections
N 631/ Aid to certain 16.06.2004 State Aid: Not 2003 magazines - Denmark approval published without in OJ opening IP/04/761 proceedings - no objections
M.3452 APAX / PCM Uitgevers 25.06.2004 Merger: C 174, 06.07.2004 Art. 6(1)(b) p. 13 non-opposition
N 224/ Tax shelter 30.06.2004 State Aid: Not 2004 cinématographique approval published without in OJ opening proceedings – no objections
M.3333 SONY / BMG 12.02.2004 Merger: Not Art. 6(1)(c) published opening of in OJ
in-depth IP/04/200 investigation
19.07.2004 Art. 8(2) Not T-464/04 non-opposition published in OJ IP/04/959
M.3529 SIEMENS / BBC 20.08.2004 Merger: Not TECHNOLOGY Art. 6(1)(b) published non-opposition in OJ
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 13 08/04/2005
M.3445 MICROSOFT / TIME 25.08.2004 Merger: Not WARNER / Art. 6(1)(c) published CONTENTGUARD JV opening of in OJ in-depth IP/04/1044 investigation
15.03.2005 Notification IP/05/295 withdrawn
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
M.3549 KKR/DLJ/Jostens-Von 16.09.2004 Merger: Not Hoffmann-Arcade Art. 6(1)(b) published non-opposition in OJ
M.3568 JPMP / APOLLO 25.10.2004 Merger: C 272, 06.11.2004 GROUP / AMC Art. 6(1)(b) p. 4 non-opposition
N 496/ Soutien à la production 03.11.2004 State Aid : Not 2004 audiovisuelle approval published Flamande without in OJ opening proceedings – no objections
M.3542 SONY PICTURES / 10.11.2004 Merger: Not WALT DISNEY / ODG Art. 6(1)(b) published / MOVIECO non-opposition in OJ IP/04/1354
N 496/ Soutien à la production 03.11.2004 State Aid : Not 2004 audiovisuelle approval published Flamande without in OJ opening proceedings – no objections
M.3601 APAX / CINVEN / 18.11.2004 Merger: Not WORLD Art. 6(1)(b) published DIRECTORIES non-opposition in OJ
N 411/ Film production 14.12.2004 State Aid: Not 2004 support - Prolongation approval published of German Länder Aid without in OJ Schemes opening proceedings – no objections
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 14 08/04/2005
M.3652 Charterhouse/TDF 21.12.2004 Merger: Not Art. 6(1)(b) published non-opposition in OJ
M.3178 BERTELSMANN / 23.12.2004 Merger: Not SPRINGER / JV Art. 6(1)(c) published opening of in OJ in-depth IP/04/1542 investigation
No. Name Date Type OJ Court case
37.214 DFB 19.01.2005 Antitrust: Not Art. 9 decision published in OJ IP/04/62 MEMO/05/ 16
M.3579 WPP / GREY 24.01.2005 Merger: Not Art. 6(1)(b) published non-opposition in OJ IP/05/86
M.3674 IESY REPOSITORY / 14.02.2005 Merger: Not ISH Art. 9 decision published in OJ IP/05/177
M.3609 CINVEN / FRANCE 04.03.2005 Merger: Not TELECOM CABLE - Art. 6(1)(b) published NC NUMERICABLE non-opposition in OJ IP/05/262
M.3708 APOLLO / DIRECTV / 29.03.2005 Merger: Not HUGHES NETWORK Art. 6(1)(b) published SYSTEMS non-opposition in OJ
Go to Index
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 15 08/04/2005
PRESS RELEASES (from 1 January 2002 onwards) Complete overview of press releases (including prior to 1 January 2002) can be found on Commission website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/press_releases/
ANTITRUST
Telecoms liberalisation and sports rights: the benefits of competition law brought to light at the European Competition Day, 22 February 2002 IP/02/296
Commission accepts undertaking in competition proceedings regarding German book price fixing, 22 March 2002 IP/02/461
Commission closes investigation into FIFA's rules on players' agents, 18 April 2002 IP/02/585
Commission welcomes UEFA's new policy for selling the media rights to the Champions League, 3 June 2002 IP/02/806
The application of the EU's competition rules to sports, 5 June 2002 MEMO/02/127
Commission clears one-stop agreements for the licensing of TV and radio music via the Internet, 8 October 2002 IP/02/1436
Commission opens proceedings into joint selling of media rights to the English Premier League, 20 December 2002 IP/02/1951
Commission closes its probe of Audiovisual Sport after Sogecable/Vía Digital merger, 8 May 2003 IP/03/655
Commission clears UEFA's new policy regarding the sale of the media rights to the Champions League 24 July 2003, IP/03/1105 Background note : The UEFA Champions league, 24 July 2003 MEMO/03/156
New marketing system for Bundesliga broadcasting rights, 24 July 2003, IP/03/1106
Commission ends monitoring of FIA/Formula One compliance with 2001 settlement - 31 October 2003 IP/03/1491
Commission reaches provisional agreement with FA Premier League and BSkyB over football rights - 16 December 2003 IP/03/1748
Commission clears deal between Telenor and Canal+ regarding Nordic satellite pay-TV distribution – 5 January 2004 IP/04/2 Commission launches sector inquiry into the sale of sports rights to Internet and 3G mobile operators – 30 January 2004 IP/04/134
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 16 08/04/2005
Commission opens proceedings into collective licensing of music copyrights for online use - 3 May 2004 IP/04/586 New cartel procedure used for the first time for the liberalisation of the central marketing of Bundesliga rights - 17 September 2004 IP/04/1110 New cartel procedure under Article 9 of Regulation 1/2003 - 17 September 2004 MEMO/04/217 Commission closes investigation into contracts of six Hollywood studios with European pay-TVs – 26 October 2004 IP/04/1314 German Football League commitments to liberalise joint selling of Bundesliga media rights made legally binding by Commission decision – 19 January 2005 IP/04/62 Details of broadcasting rights commitments made by the German Football League – 19 January 2005 MEMO/05/16
MERGERS and JOINT VENTURES, STATE AID, OTHER
Spanish cinema, 9 April 2002 IP/02/529 Commission approves Spanish scheme of aid to cinema production
TPS, 2 May 2002 IP/02/645 Commission authorises the purchase by TF1 of 25% of the capital of TPS, currently held by France Télévision and France Télécom
Vivendi/Multithématiques, 3 May 2002 IP/02/655 Commission clears purchase by Vivendi of Liberty's stake in Multithématiques (thematic channels)
Commission approves state funding to BBC digital television and radio channels, 22 May 2002 IP/02/737
VG Media, 22 May 2002 IP/02/744 Commission approves acquisition of joint control of VG Media by RTL and ProSiebenSat.1
Carlton/Thomson, 24 June 2002 IP/02/915 Commission clears joint acquisition by Carlton and Thomson in the cinema screen advertising sector
Vía Digital/Sogecable, 16 August 2002 IP/02/1216 Commission refers the assessment of Vía Digital's merger with Sogecable to the Spanish Competition Authorities
Bertelsmann/Zomba, 2 September 2002 IP/02/1260 Commission clears Bertelsmann's buy of Zomba
RTL/Holtzbrinck, 5 November 2002 IP/02/1614 Commission clears acquisition by RTL of Holtzbrinck's stake in the German TV channel n-tv
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 17 08/04/2005
TDF/Charterhouse/CDC, 15 November 2002 IP/02/1690 Commission clears acquisition of control of France Telecom's TV infrastructure arm by Charterhouse and CDC
Stream/Telepiù, 2 December 2002 IP/02/1782 Commission opens in-depth probe into the acquisition of Telepiù by Newscorp
Kluwer Academic Publishers/Candover/Cinven, 19 December 2002 MEX/02/1219 Commission clears joint acquisition of Dutch publisher Kluwer Academic
Commission puts in place final piece of new framework for electronic communications, 12 February 2003 IP/03/221 Commission clears merger between Stream and Telepiù subject to conditions, 2 April 2003 IP/03/478
Lagardère/Natexis/VUP, 6 June 2003 IP/03/808 Commission initiates detailed inquiry into Lagardère's acquisition of VUP
Lagardère/Natexis/VUP, 23 July 2003 IP/03/1078 Commission decides to carry out itself the inquiry into the planned acquisition of VUP by Lagardère
Conditional clearance for acquisition of joint control by Candover and Cinven of German publisher BertelsmannSpringer, 29 July 2003 IP/03/1130
Lagardère/Natexis/VUP, 7 January 2004 IP/04/15 Commission gives go-ahead for Lagardère to acquire part of the publishing business of Editis (former VUP)
Commission launches aid probe into Dutch public service broadcasters, 3 February 2004 IP/04/146
SONY/BMG, 12 February IP/04/200 Commission opens in-depth investigation into Sony/Bertelsmann recorded music venture
RTL/M6, 15 March 2004 IP/04/337 Commission clears RTL's acquisition of sole control over M6
Preparing the future and making the most of the past: the Commission adopts a communication on European cinema, 16 March 2004 IP/04/343
Commission clears merger between UPC and Noos, 18 May 2004 IP/04/652
Commission orders Danish public broadcaster TV2 to pay back excess compensation for public service tasks, 19 May 2004 IP/04/666
Commission clears acquisition of German cable operator PrimaCom by Apollo and JP Morgan, 16 June 2004 IP/04/752
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 18 08/04/2005
Commission authorises aid for the distribution of cultural and social journals by non-profit organisations in Denmark, 16 June 2004 IP/04/761
Commission gives conditional approval to the purchase of Socpresse by the Marcel Dassault Group, 17 June 2004 IP/04/765
Commission enquiry into State financing of switchover costs to a digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) project in Germany, 14 July 2004 IP/04/911
Commission enquiry on financing of digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) in Sweden, 14 July 2004 IP/04/912
Commission decides not to oppose recorded music JV between Sony and Bertelsmann, 20 July 2004 IP/04/959
Commission accepts Wendel Investissement as buyer of the assets of Editis (formerly Vivendi Universal Publishing) divested by Lagardère, 3 August 2004 IP/04/1013
Commission opens in-depth investigation into Microsoft/Time Warner/ContentGuard JV, 25 August 2004 IP/04/1044
Commission clears video-on-demand JV between Walt Disney and Columbia Pictures in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 11 November 2004 IP/04/1354
Commission opens in-depth investigation into Bertelsmann/Springer rotogravure joint venture, 23 December 2004 IP/04/1542
Mergers: Commission refers merger of two German cable network operators to Bundeskartellamt, 15 February 2005 IP/05/177
State Aid: Commission requests Germany, Ireland and The Netherlands to clarify role and financing of public service broadcasters, 3 March 2005 IP/05/250 Public service broadcasting and state aid – frequently asked questions, 3 March 2005 MEMO/05/73
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of France Télécom Câble and NC Numéricâble by Cinven 4 March 2005 IP/05/262
Mergers: Microsoft and Time Warner abandon acquisition of control in ContentGuard as Thomson purchases a one third stake, 15 March 2005 IP/05/295
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EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 19 08/04/2005
SPEECHES (from 1 January 2002 onwards) Complete overview of speeches (including prior to 1 January 2002) can be found on Commission website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/speeches/
Media in Europe: Media and EU competition law - Herbert UNGERER - Conference on Media in Poland, Polish Confederation of Private Employers - Warsaw, Poland - 13.02.2002
What are the aims of European Competition Policy - Mario MONTI - European Competition Day - Madrid, Spain - 26.02.2002
Sports and Competition: Broadcasting rights for sports events - Alexander SCHAUB - European Competition Day - Madrid, Spain - 26.02.2002
EU Competition law, Convergence and the Media Industry - Miguel MENDES PEREIRA - Law Society of England and Wales - London - 23 April 2002
Podiumsdiskussion: Wie national müssen Medien sein - Herbert UNGERER - Medientreffpunkt Mitteldeutschland - Leipzig, Germary - 06.05.2002
Legislation and Regulation in the Transatlantic Framework Telecoms and Media - Herbert UNGERER - Executive Forum on the Telecommunications Industry, European Union Centre of the University System of Georgia - Atlanta, USA - 17.06.2002
Converging technologies and regulations : broadcasting, datacasting, communications - Herbert UNGERER - 23rd ETP Plenary Session - Brussels, Belgium - 19.09.2002
Convergence between media and telecommunications: competition law and regulatory perspectives - Miguel MENDES PEREIRA - GSM Europe Plenary - Lisbon, Portugal - 29.11.2002
Competition policy and the issue of access in broadcasting markets - Herbert UNGERER - Vision in Business Broadcasting Competition Law - Hilton Hotel, Brussels, Belgium - 14.01.2003
TV Rights of Sports Events - Torben TOFT - Vision in Business Broadcasting Competition Law - Hilton Hotel, Brussels, Belgium - 15.01.2003
What are the results of 15 years deregulation in telecommunications, what are the challenges and opportunities for telecommunications and media operators and policy makers in the coming years? - Herbert UNGERER - ANNUAL CONFERENCE, DUTCH TELECOM SOCIETY - The Hague, the NetherLands - 23.01.2003
Alternative Regulierungsformen zwischen Staat und Markt - Herbert UNGERER - Brussels, Belgium - 18.02.2003
Vertical and horizontal integration in the media sector and EU competition law - Miguel MENDES PEREIRA - The ICT and Media Sectors within the EU Policy Framework, U.L.B.- SMIT, CEAS, Telenor - Brussels, Belgium - 07.04.2003
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 20 08/04/2005
Application of competition law to rights management in the music market - Some orientations - Herbert UNGERER - Independent Music Companies Association – 11.06.2003
Sport et télévision : Exclusivité et concurrence - Jürgen MENSCHING - Rendez-Vous International du Sport et de la Télévision - Monaco - 17.09.2003
Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Public Service Broadcasting - Panel Contribution - Herbert UNGERER - Conference on Public Service Broadcasting, International Press Institute and Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation - Bucharest, Romania - 19.09.2003
Competition Policy: Commercial And Consumer Paybacks - The European Dimension – Jürgen MENSCHING - The International Institute of communications, 34th Annual Conference. In association with the Royal Institute of International Affairs - London, UK - 01.10.2003
Commercialising sport: Understanding the TV Rights debate - Herbert UNGERER - FKG Sports Consulting - Barcelona, Spain - 02.10.2003
Scope and duration of media rights agreements: balancing contractual rights and competition law concerns - Miguel MENDES PEREIRA - IBC - 8th Annual Conference, Brussels, Belgium - 10.10.2003
Rechtsschutz im Bereich grenzüberschreitender Medienzusammenschlüsse - Hanns Peter NEHL - Internationale Medienenquete 2003 - Wien, Austria - 28.10.2003
Impact of Competition Law on Media - some comments on current developments - Herbert UNGERER - 4th ECTA Regulatory Conference - Brussels - 10.12.2003
Media Concentration & Convergence: Competition in Communications – Philip LOWE - Oxford IPPR Media Convention, Oxford – 13.01.2004
Why can't the market decide – Herbert UNGERER - Oxford IPPR Media Convention, Oxford - 13.01.2004
The New EU Policy on Technology Transfer Agreements - Mario MONTI - Ecole des Mines, Paris – 16.01. 2004
Antitrust e regolamentazione nell'industria delle comunicazioni elettroniche principi e prospettive - Mario MONTI - Seminario organizzato dall'Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni, Castel dell'Ovo Napoli – 22.03.2004 A Legal framework to secure open Media Markets and the Independence of the Press - The Role of EU Competition Law - Herbert Ungerer - Conference on Democracy and Human Rights in the EU, Opole, Poland – 05.06.2004 Application of Competition Law to Media - Some recent issues – Herbert UNGERER – Nera Conference, Brussels – 22.06.2004 Competition law and rights management - Recent Developments – Herbert UNGERER - Regulatory Forum, European Cable Communication Association (ECCA) – Brussels – 23.06.2004
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 21 08/04/2005
Access to content and the development of competition in the New Media market - the Commission’s approach – Mario MONTI – Workshop on access to quality audiovisual contents and development of New Media, Hotel Hilton, Brussels – 08.07.2004 EU media framework, competition law and Public Service Broadcasting - Some comments on the impact on the current UK debate – Herbert UNGERER - European Media Forum, London – 12.7.2004 Application of EU Competition Rules to Broadcasting, Transition from Analogue to Digital – Herbert UNGERER - Universita di Napoli, Naples, Italy - 20.09.2004 Electronic communications markets : current activities / objectives of DG Competition and review of recent cases – Eric VAN GINDERACHTER - IBC 9th Annual Conference, Communications and Competition Law, Brussels – 15.10.2004 Impact of European Competition Policy on Media – Herbert UNGERER - IESE Business School & School of Communication of the University of Navarra, Madrid, Spain – 15.02.2005 Sport and Competition Law – Torben TOFT - Broadcasting Competition Law, London, United Kingdom – 23.02.2005
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EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 22 08/04/2005
Communications and EC Directives in the audiovisual field (selective)
General Competition Regulations (selective)
Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty (16.12.2002)
Commission Regulation (EC) No 773/2004 of 7 April 2004 relating to the conduct of proceedings by the Commission pursuant to Articles 81 and 82 of the EC Treaty
Commission Notice - Guidelines on Vertical Restraints (OJ C 291, p. 1, 13.10.2000)
Commission Notice - Guidelines on the applicability of Article 81 of the EC Treaty to horizontal cooperation Agreements (OJ C 3, p. 2, 6.1.2001)
Communication from the Commission – Notice - Guidelines on the application of Article 81(3) of the Treaty (OJ C 101, p. 97, 27.4.2004)
Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings (20.1.2004)
Guidelines on the assessment of horizontal mergers under the Council Regulation on the control of concentrations between undertakings (OJ C 31, p. 5, 5.2.2004)
Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting (15.11.2001)
Intellectual Property Rights / Copyright
Council Directive 91/250/EEC on the legal protection of computer programs (14.5.1991)
Council Directive 92/100/EEC on rental right and lending right and on certain rights related to copyright in the field of intellectual property (19.11.1992)
Council Directive 93/83/EEC on the coordination of certain rules concerning copyright and rights related to copyright applicable to satellite broadcasting and cable retransmission (27.9.1993)
Council Directive 93/98/EEC harmonizing the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights (29.10.1993)
Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the legal protection of databases (11.3.1996)
Directive 2001/29/EC on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society (22.5.2001)
Directive 2001/84/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the resale right for the benefit of the author of an original work of art (27.9.2001)
Directive 2004/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the enforcement of intellectual property rights (29.4.2004)
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 23 08/04/2005
Report from the European Commission on the Application of Council Directive 93/83/EEC on the Coordination of certain rules concerning copyright and rights related to copyright applicable to satellite broadcasting and cable retransmission (COM(2002) 430, 26.7.2002)
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee - The Management of Copyright and Related Rights in the Internal Market (COM(2004) 261, 16.4.2004)
Commission staff working paper on the review of the EC legal framework in the field of copyright and related rights (SEC(2004) 995, 19.7.2004)
Television
Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (3.10.1989)
Directive 97/36/EC amending Council Directive 89/552/EEC (30.6.1997)
Council Decision 1999/297/EC of 26 April 1999 establishing a Community statistical information infrastructure relating to the industry and markets of the audiovisual and related sectors
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Principles and Guidelines for the Community's Audiovisual Policy in the digital age (COM(1999) 657, 14.12.1999)
Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee on the implementation of Council Decision 1999/297/EC of 26 April 1999 establishing a Community statistical information infrastructure relating to the industry and markets of the audiovisual and related sectors (COM(2002) 384, 11.7.2002)
Fourth Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the application of Directive 89/552/EEC "Television without Frontiers" (COM(2002) 778, 6.1.2003)
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on Barriers to widespread access to new services and applications of the information society through open platforms in digital television and third generation mobile communications (COM(2003) 410, 9.7.2003)
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting (from digital ‘switchover’ to analogue ‘switch-off’) (COM(2003) 541, 17.9.2003)
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - The future of European Regulatory Audiovisual Policy (COM(2003) 784, 15.12.2003)
Commission interpretative communication on certain aspects of the provisions on televised advertising in the ‘Television without frontiers’ Directive (OJ C 102, p. 2, 28.4.2004)
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 24 08/04/2005
Sixth Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the application of Articles 4 and 5 of Directive 89/552/EEC "Television without Frontiers", as amended by Directive 97/36/EC, for the period 2001-2002 (COM(2004) 524, 28.7.2004)
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on interoperability of digital interactive television services (COM(2004)541, 30.7.2004)
Video / Film
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on certain legal aspects relating to cinematographic and other audiovisual works (COM(2001) 534, 26.9.2001)
Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee on the question of authorship of cinematographic or audiovisual works in the Community (COM(2002) 691, 6.12.2002)
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the follow-up to the Commission communication on certain legal aspects relating to cinematographic and other audiovisual works (Cinema communication) of 26.09.2001 (published in OJ C 43 on 16.2.2002) (COM(2004) 171, 16.3.2004)
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EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 25 08/04/2005
Other internet sites of relevance to the Media sector
Audiovisual policy
The European Audiovisual Observatory
Council of Europe, Media Division
European Parliament resolution on media concentration, 20 November 2002
Work of the committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport 1999-2004
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For questions or paper version of this compilation: [email protected]
EU Competition policy in the Media Sector 26 08/04/2005