Digital pianos, digital keyboards and guitars: anti-competitive practices 50565-6
| 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
Resale price maintenance in
the digital piano and digital
keyboard, and guitar sectors
17 July 2020
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Confidential information in the original version of this Decision has been redacted
from the published version on the public register. Redacted confidential information
in the text of the published version of the Decision is denoted by [].
The names of some 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 Names have been replaced by a general descriptor of the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.
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Contents
1. Introduction and Executive Summary ................................................................... 4
Glossary ........................................................................................................ 5
People involved and their roles ...................................................................... 8
2. Investigation .......................................................................................................... 9
3. Facts ................................................................................................................... 14
Addressees .................................................................................................. 14
I. The Yamaha undertaking ........................................................................ 14
II. The GAK undertaking .............................................................................. 15
Piano and digital keyboard sector and guitar sector overview ..................... 17
I. UK pianos and digital keyboard sector and guitar sector ........................ 17
II. Yamaha’s involvement in the UK piano and digital keyboard sector and
the guitar sector ................................................................................................. 18
III. Other UK piano, digital keyboard and guitar suppliers ............................ 21
IV. UK MI resellers ........................................................................................ 21
V. Yamaha sales and distribution network ................................................... 23
VI. GAK’s involvement in the UK piano and digital keyboard sector and guitar
sector …………………………………………………………………………………..26
Yamaha Pricing Policy ................................................................................. 28
I. Introduction and overview........................................................................ 28
II. Aims, duration and content ...................................................................... 32
Market Definition .......................................................................................... 50
I. Purpose of and framework for assessing the relevant market ................. 50
II. Relevant product market ......................................................................... 50
III. Sales through different distribution channels ........................................... 53
IV. Relevant geographic market .................................................................... 54
V. Conclusion on market definition .............................................................. 55
4. Legal Assessment ............................................................................................... 56
Introduction .................................................................................................. 56
Undertakings ............................................................................................... 57
I. Key legal principles ................................................................................. 57
II. Conclusion on undertakings .................................................................... 58
Agreement and/or concerted practice .......................................................... 58
I. Key legal principles ................................................................................. 58
II. Agreement ............................................................................................... 59
III. Concerted practice .................................................................................. 61
IV. Agreement and/or concerted practice between Yamaha and GAK ......... 63
Object of Preventing, Restricting or Distorting Competition ......................... 93
I. Key legal principles ................................................................................. 94
II. Legal Assessment of the Agreement ..................................................... 101
Appreciable Restriction of Competition ...................................................... 105
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