Germany

• Pages: 1-64

CHAPTER 9

GERMANY

Germany-3

CONTENTS

A. OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 5

1. General Policies Underlying German Competition Law ............................. 5

a. Legal Background ............................................................................... 5

b. Role of Economic Doctrines and Analysis ......................................... 7

(1) The Influence of Ordoliberalism ................................................ 7

(2) Use of Economic Analysis ......................................................... 7

c. Small and Medium-Sized Undertakings ............................................. 8

2. Overview of Applicable Statutes ................................................................. 9

a. GWB ................................................................................................... 9

b. German and European Competition Law ......................................... 10

3. Overview of Structure, Independence, and Jurisdiction

of Enforcement Agencies .......................................................................... 11

a. Competition Authorities ................................................................... 11

(1) Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) ................................ 11

(2) Cartel State Authorities (Landeskartellbehörden) .................... 12

(3) Other Authorities ...................................................................... 12

b. Courts ................................................................................................ 13

c. Procedures......................................................................................... 15

B. SUBSTANTIVE LAW ............................................................................................ 15

1. Restrictive Agreements and Practices ....................................................... 15

a. General .............................................................................................. 15

b. Horizontal Agreements ..................................................................... 18

(1) Hardcore Cartels ....................................................................... 18

(2) Other Forms of Horizontal Cooperation................................... 20

c. Vertical Agreements ......................................................................... 21

d. Exemptions ....................................................................................... 23

e. Sanctions ........................................................................................... 25

f. Leniency ...........................................................................................

26

g. Settlement ......................................................................................... 26

h. Liability............................................................................................. 27

i. Appeal ............................................................................................... 28

2. Mergers and Acquisitions .......................................................................... 29

a. General .............................................................................................. 29

b. Definition of a Merger ...................................................................... 29

(1) Acquisition of a Substantial Part of the Assets ........................ 30

(2) Acquisition of Shares Exceeding 25 Percent or

50 Percent of the Capital or Voting Rights .............................. 31

(3) Acquisition of Control .............................................................. 31

(4) Acquisition of a Competitively Significant Influence .............. 32

c. Thresholds......................................................................................... 33

(1) Threshold Tests ........................................................................ 33

(2) Calculation of Turnover ........................................................... 35

d. Foreign Transactions......................................................................... 36

e. Exceptions......................................................................................... 37