Synthesizers and hi-tech equipment: anti-competitive practices 50565-4
| 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 synthesizer and
hi-tech sector
29 June 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 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 Names have been replaced by a general descriptor of the individual's role.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
Introduction and Executive Summary .................................................................... 3
Glossary ......................................................................................................... 4
Investigation .......................................................................................................... 7
Facts ................................................................................................................... 10
Addressees of the Decision ......................................................................... 10
Synthesizer and hi-tech sector overview ...................................................... 10
Korg Pricing Policy ....................................................................................... 18
Market Definition .......................................................................................... 65
Legal Assessment ............................................................................................... 69
Introduction .................................................................................................. 69
Undertakings ................................................................................................ 70
Agreement and/or concerted practice .......................................................... 71
Object of Preventing, Restricting or Distorting Competition ....................... 126
Appreciable Restriction of Competition ...................................................... 136
Effect on Trade between EU Member States ............................................. 137
Effect on Trade within the UK .................................................................... 141
Exclusion or Exemption ............................................................................. 142
Attribution of liability ................................................................................... 144
Burden and standard of proof .................................................................... 147
The CMA’s Action ............................................................................................. 149
The CMA’s Decision .................................................................................. 149
Directions ................................................................................................... 149
Financial Penalties ..................................................................................... 149
Annex A: CMA’s review of the evidence in relation to whether Korg UK threatened to
terminate [Reseller 1]’s account ................................................................. 163
Annex B: Additional, quantitative evidence concerning [Reseller 1]’s compliance with the
Korg Pricing Policy ..................................................................................... 170
Annex C: Additional examples, in 2016 and 2017, of [Reseller 1] agreeing to raise its pricing
to the Minimum Price on request from Korg UK ......................................... 179
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