Table of Contents
UK Publishes Details of New Subsidy Control Regime
EU and UK Reviews of Rules on Vertical Agreements Continue Apace
European Commission Warns Against Restricting Access to Data Sharing Systems
Check Merger Control Filing Obligations Worldwide: Austria Fines Facebook
The scope and complexity of merger control filing requirements worldwide continue to increase. It is essential to carry out a full review for any acquisition, joint venture or minority investment whether it relates to a corporate entity or assets.
This was demonstrated on 7 June 2021 when the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) announced that it is seeking agreement from the Austrian Cartel Court to impose a fine on Facebook for not filing its acquisition of GIPHY under Austrian merger control law. Facebook should have filed and waited for clearance before closing the transaction. The company has agreed to settle the investigation and pay a EUR 9.6 million fine.