Digital piano and digital keyboard sector: anti-competitive practices 50565-2
| Case Outcome | CA98 - infringement Chapter I |
| Decision Date | 17 April 2018 |
| Date | 17 April 2018 |
| Subject Matter | CA98 and civil cartels |
| Court | Competition and Markets Authority (EW) |
Decision of the Competition and Markets
Authority
Online resale price maintenance
in the digital piano and digital
keyboard sector
Case 50565-2
1 August 2019
1
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Confidential information in the original version of this Decision has been redacted
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in the text of the published version of the Decision is denoted by [].
The names of individuals mentioned in the description of the infringement in the
original version of this Decision have been removed from the published version on
the public register. Names have been replaced by a general descriptor of the
individual’s role.
2
Contents
Page
1. Introduction and Executive Summary ................................................................... 4
A. Glossary ........................................................................................................ 6
2. Investigation .......................................................................................................... 8
3. Facts ................................................................................................................... 14
A. Addressees .................................................................................................. 14
I. Casio Electronics Co. Limited .................................................................. 14
II. Casio Computer Co., Limited .................................................................. 14
B. Piano and keyboard sector overview ........................................................... 15
I. UK pianos and keyboard sector .............................................................. 15
II. Casio UK’s involvement in the UK piano and keyboard sector ................ 16
III. Other UK piano and keyboard suppliers .................................................. 17
IV. UK MI resellers ........................................................................................ 17
V. Casio UK’s sales and distribution network............................................... 18
VI. Importance of internet sales as a retail channel to the MI sector ............. 21
C. Casio Pricing Policy ................................................................ ..................... 22
I. Introduction and overview........................................................................ 22
II. Aims, content and duration ...................................................................... 26
III. Monitoring and enforcement of the Casio Pricing Policy ......................... 35
IV. Illustrative examples of Casio UK’s monitoring and enforcement ............ 46
V. Casio UK’s awareness about illegality of enforcing the Casio Pricing
Policy 57
VI. Consequences for resellers of non-compliance ....................................... 60
D. Market Definition .......................................................................................... 63
I. Purpose of and framework for assessing the relevant market ................. 64
II. Relevant product market ......................................................................... 64
III. Sales through different distribution channels ........................................... 66
IV. Relevant geographic market .................................................................... 67
V. Conclusion on market definition .............................................................. 68
4. Legal Assessment ............................................................................................... 68
A. Introduction .................................................................................................. 68
B. Undertakings ............................................................................................... 70
I. Key legal principles ................................................................................. 70
II. Conclusion on undertakings .................................................................... 71
C. Agreement and/or concerted practice .......................................................... 71
I. Key legal principles ................................................................................. 71
II. Agreement ............................................................................................... 72
III. Concerted practice .................................................................................. 74
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