<p>This thesis intends to analyze and clarify the relevant market within air passenger transport. Further the thesis intends to investigate if there is any difference in air passenger transport in accordance to more general business. The definition of the relevant market is an essential step in order to establish a breach under European competition law. The relevant market includes the relevant product market and the relevant geographic market. The fundamental issue in the relevant product market is whether products are considered to be substitutable and can constitute the same market. The Commission has set a notice which includes methods and criterias and serves as guidelines to courts and companies to define the relevant market. The notice is however not binding for courts. The CJ have developed implementation of the criterias which it tends to refer to even if it is a different branch, however a case-by-case based definition is needed. The definition of the relevant market is based on three main criterias: demand substitutability, supply substitutability and potential competition. Even though the supply substitutability seems not be implemented in a further extension in more general branches, it seems to be of greater importance when defining the relevant market within air passenger transport. The air passenger transport has also established a test called base of origin and base of destination which includes an analysis of price, travel frequencies, comfort of the journey, transfer time to terminals and differences in the qualities and quantities in airports.  However according to air passenger transport, travel sequences seems to be the criteria that courts focus most on.</p>

<p>On 1 June 2010, a new Block Exemption Regulation (BER) and new Guidelines that affect the practical use of selective distribution systems enter into force. The BER exempts vertical agreements, such as selective distribution agreements, from the prohibition of Article 101 (1) TFEU. It is significant for individual market players to obtain knowledge of what impact the new BER and the new Guidelines have for the practical use of selective distribution systems.</p><p>The Commission has amended the new BER and the new Guidelines in the light of the development the last decade. Two main changes are noticed that affect the content of the new legislative documents. Firstly, it is established that many distributors have obtained larger market shares. Secondly, it is stated that Internet sales have increased largely. The basic principles of the new versions of the BER and the Guidelines are identical with the former versions but the present changes are although noticeable for companies and their selective distribution systems.</p><p>The new BER contains a new market share rule that is more restrictive than the corresponding rule in the former BER. However, the new market share rule is not an expression of a less tolerant approach towards selective distribution systems; rather an amendment necessary due to the development of distributors’ market shares.</p><p>The growth of distribution in the Internet the last ten years is reflected in the new Guidelines. The Commission’s approach towards the Internet as a distribution method seems in general to be positive. It is noticeable that the Commission wants that parties of selective distribution agreements shall be able to benefit from all the positive effects of online sales at the same time as the Commission tries to preserve the positive effects of selective distribution.</p><p>This thesis describes and examines the practical use of selective distribution systems. Different reasons for companies to use selective distribution systems and effects of the new BER and Guidelines are in particular examined.</p>

On 1 June 2010, a new Block Exemption Regulation (BER) and new Guidelines that affect the practical use of selective distribution systems enter into force. The BER exempts vertical agreements, such as selective distribution agreements, from the prohibition of Article 101 (1) TFEU. It is significant for individual market players to obtain knowledge of what impact the new BER and the new Guidelines have for the practical use of selective distribution systems. The Commission has amended the new BER and the new Guidelines in the light of the development the last decade. Two main changes are noticed that affect the content of the new legislative documents. Firstly, it is established that many distributors have obtained larger market shares. Secondly, it is stated that Internet sales have increased largely. The basic principles of the new versions of the BER and the Guidelines are identical with the former versions but the present changes are although noticeable for companies and their selective distribution systems. The new BER contains a new market share rule that is more restrictive than the corresponding rule in the former BER. However, the new market share rule is not an expression of a less tolerant approach towards selective distribution systems; rather an amendment necessary due to the development of distributors’ market shares. The growth of distribution in the Internet the last ten years is reflected in the new Guidelines. The Commission’s approach towards the Internet as a distribution method seems in general to be positive. It is noticeable that the Commission wants that parties of selective distribution agreements shall be able to benefit from all the positive effects of online sales at the same time as the Commission tries to preserve the positive effects of selective distribution. This thesis describes and examines the practical use of selective distribution systems. Different reasons for companies to use selective distribution systems and effects of the new BER and Guidelines are in particular examined.

This thesis intends to analyze and clarify the relevant market within air passenger transport. Further the thesis intends to investigate if there is any difference in air passenger transport in accordance to more general business. The definition of the relevant market is an essential step in order to establish a breach under European competition law. The relevant market includes the relevant product market and the relevant geographic market. The fundamental issue in the relevant product market is whether products are considered to be substitutable and can constitute the same market. The Commission has set a notice which includes methods and criterias and serves as guidelines to courts and companies to define the relevant market. The notice is however not binding for courts. The CJ have developed implementation of the criterias which it tends to refer to even if it is a different branch, however a case-by-case based definition is needed. The definition of the relevant market is based on three main criterias: demand substitutability, supply substitutability and potential competition. Even though the supply substitutability seems not be implemented in a further extension in more general branches, it seems to be of greater importance when defining the relevant market within air passenger transport. The air passenger transport has also established a test called base of origin and base of destination which includes an analysis of price, travel frequencies, comfort of the journey, transfer time to terminals and differences in the qualities and quantities in airports.  However according to air passenger transport, travel sequences seems to be the criteria that courts focus most on.

No description available.

O presente trabalho é focado na liberalização do setor de energia elétrica ocorrida na União Europeia, sendo estudado como foi esse processo de abertura à concorrência, qual a disciplina atualmente vigente, e quais as perspectivas de regulação desse mercado. Para a concretização do projeto do mercado interno é essencial o funcionamento ótimo deste setor vital e a criação de um mercado a nível unional para esses serviços. Por esta razão, esforços vêm sendo empreendidos para aprimorar a disciplina do setor no bloco. Pela importância do tema e problemas da inserção deste setor na perspectiva concorrencial também no cenário brasileiro, escolheu-se o estudo do caminho percorrido pela União Europeia em busca de eventuais contribuições. Questionamento principal do trabalho é a eficiência da regulação setorial para a abertura do mercado, e se sua evolução, na União Europeia, permitiu uma redução da concentração do mercado e benefícios tanto econômicos como não econômicos. É demonstrado no trabalho que, mesmo com a intensa regulação setorial inserida nesse mercado, há espaço para a aplicação concomitante do direito da concorrência. Para o Brasil, esta experiência demonstra a complementaridade do direito regulatório e do direito da concorrência e a importância de uma atuação proativa da autoridade de concorrência neste setor. Ressalta o presente estudo os benefícios da inserção da concorrência no setor de energia elétrica e a possibilidade de manutenção desta ao lado das garantias necessárias aos consumidores e outras obrigações de serviço público, como preços médicos, segurança no abastecimento e incentivos às fontes renováveis. / This study is focused on the liberalization of the energy sector in the European Union, with an analysis of the process of the introduction of competition into this market, as well as of the current regulatory framework and of the prospects for its treatment in the future. The functioning of this vital sector and the creation of a Union-wide energy market is essential for the achievement of the internal market project. For this reason there has been so much effort applied on the improvement of this sector’s regulation. Considering the importance of the subject and the problems on the liberalization of the energy sector experienced in Brazil, the study searches for contributions in the successive stages of gradual reforms verified in the European Union. The main question of this assignment is whether sector specific regulation is efficient for the opening of the markets and whether its gradual reforms allowed a decrease of the market’s concentration and introduced any economic and non-economic benefits. This analysis shows that, even with intense regulation on the market, there is still room for the enforcement of competition law besides sector specific rules. For Brazil, this experience demonstrates the complementarity of sector specific regulation and competition law, as well as the importance of the enforcement of competition rules by the competition authorities. The study emphasizes the benefits of inserting competition in the energy sector and the possibility to maintain it side by side with consumer protection and other service public obligation, such as fair prices, secure supply and incentives for renewable energy sources.

O presente trabalho é focado na liberalização do setor de energia elétrica ocorrida na União Europeia, sendo estudado como foi esse processo de abertura à concorrência, qual a disciplina atualmente vigente, e quais as perspectivas de regulação desse mercado. Para a concretização do projeto do mercado interno é essencial o funcionamento ótimo deste setor vital e a criação de um mercado a nível unional para esses serviços. Por esta razão, esforços vêm sendo empreendidos para aprimorar a disciplina do setor no bloco. Pela importância do tema e problemas da inserção deste setor na perspectiva concorrencial também no cenário brasileiro, escolheu-se o estudo do caminho percorrido pela União Europeia em busca de eventuais contribuições. Questionamento principal do trabalho é a eficiência da regulação setorial para a abertura do mercado, e se sua evolução, na União Europeia, permitiu uma redução da concentração do mercado e benefícios tanto econômicos como não econômicos. É demonstrado no trabalho que, mesmo com a intensa regulação setorial inserida nesse mercado, há espaço para a aplicação concomitante do direito da concorrência. Para o Brasil, esta experiência demonstra a complementaridade do direito regulatório e do direito da concorrência e a importância de uma atuação proativa da autoridade de concorrência neste setor. Ressalta o presente estudo os benefícios da inserção da concorrência no setor de energia elétrica e a possibilidade de manutenção desta ao lado das garantias necessárias aos consumidores e outras obrigações de serviço público, como preços médicos, segurança no abastecimento e incentivos às fontes renováveis. / This study is focused on the liberalization of the energy sector in the European Union, with an analysis of the process of the introduction of competition into this market, as well as of the current regulatory framework and of the prospects for its treatment in the future. The functioning of this vital sector and the creation of a Union-wide energy market is essential for the achievement of the internal market project. For this reason there has been so much effort applied on the improvement of this sector’s regulation. Considering the importance of the subject and the problems on the liberalization of the energy sector experienced in Brazil, the study searches for contributions in the successive stages of gradual reforms verified in the European Union. The main question of this assignment is whether sector specific regulation is efficient for the opening of the markets and whether its gradual reforms allowed a decrease of the market’s concentration and introduced any economic and non-economic benefits. This analysis shows that, even with intense regulation on the market, there is still room for the enforcement of competition law besides sector specific rules. For Brazil, this experience demonstrates the complementarity of sector specific regulation and competition law, as well as the importance of the enforcement of competition rules by the competition authorities. The study emphasizes the benefits of inserting competition in the energy sector and the possibility to maintain it side by side with consumer protection and other service public obligation, such as fair prices, secure supply and incentives for renewable energy sources.

O presente trabalho é focado na liberalização do setor de energia elétrica ocorrida na União Europeia, sendo estudado como foi esse processo de abertura à concorrência, qual a disciplina atualmente vigente, e quais as perspectivas de regulação desse mercado. Para a concretização do projeto do mercado interno é essencial o funcionamento ótimo deste setor vital e a criação de um mercado a nível unional para esses serviços. Por esta razão, esforços vêm sendo empreendidos para aprimorar a disciplina do setor no bloco. Pela importância do tema e problemas da inserção deste setor na perspectiva concorrencial também no cenário brasileiro, escolheu-se o estudo do caminho percorrido pela União Europeia em busca de eventuais contribuições. Questionamento principal do trabalho é a eficiência da regulação setorial para a abertura do mercado, e se sua evolução, na União Europeia, permitiu uma redução da concentração do mercado e benefícios tanto econômicos como não econômicos. É demonstrado no trabalho que, mesmo com a intensa regulação setorial inserida nesse mercado, há espaço para a aplicação concomitante do direito da concorrência. Para o Brasil, esta experiência demonstra a complementaridade do direito regulatório e do direito da concorrência e a importância de uma atuação proativa da autoridade de concorrência neste setor. Ressalta o presente estudo os benefícios da inserção da concorrência no setor de energia elétrica e a possibilidade de manutenção desta ao lado das garantias necessárias aos consumidores e outras obrigações de serviço público, como preços médicos, segurança no abastecimento e incentivos às fontes renováveis. / This study is focused on the liberalization of the energy sector in the European Union, with an analysis of the process of the introduction of competition into this market, as well as of the current regulatory framework and of the prospects for its treatment in the future. The functioning of this vital sector and the creation of a Union-wide energy market is essential for the achievement of the internal market project. For this reason there has been so much effort applied on the improvement of this sector’s regulation. Considering the importance of the subject and the problems on the liberalization of the energy sector experienced in Brazil, the study searches for contributions in the successive stages of gradual reforms verified in the European Union. The main question of this assignment is whether sector specific regulation is efficient for the opening of the markets and whether its gradual reforms allowed a decrease of the market’s concentration and introduced any economic and non-economic benefits. This analysis shows that, even with intense regulation on the market, there is still room for the enforcement of competition law besides sector specific rules. For Brazil, this experience demonstrates the complementarity of sector specific regulation and competition law, as well as the importance of the enforcement of competition rules by the competition authorities. The study emphasizes the benefits of inserting competition in the energy sector and the possibility to maintain it side by side with consumer protection and other service public obligation, such as fair prices, secure supply and incentives for renewable energy sources.

Résumé The presented work addresses the issue of the double-tracking nature of a dominant position in European competition law. The aim of the integration efforts during the establishment of the EU was the creation of an internal market, especially the customs union. In order to achieve this state, it was necessary to take a number of integration measures and create a legal framework, i.e. conditions, under which economic competition in the internal market could operate effectively. In this context a variety of legislation valid for the whole EU territory has been accepted. However, in the context of the economic competition this work analyzes the legislation on market dominance carried out first in Article 102 of TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) prohibiting restrictive business practices in the form of abuse of a dominant position and also in Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 and later in Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 regulating the control of concentrations between undertakings. In case of both the legislations the crucial question is the "dominant position" of an enterprise in the market, while Article 102 of TFEU represents the ex post control, i.e. applies only to the possible abuse of the dominant position, and in this sense the dominant position itself is not the...

Résumé The presented work addresses the issue of the double-tracking nature of a dominant position in European competition law. The aim of the integration efforts during the establishment of the EU was the creation of an internal market, especially the customs union. In order to achieve this state, it was necessary to take a number of integration measures and create a legal framework, i.e. conditions, under which economic competition in the internal market could operate effectively. In this context a variety of legislation valid for the whole EU territory has been accepted. However, in the context of the economic competition this work analyzes the legislation on market dominance carried out first in Article 102 of TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) prohibiting restrictive business practices in the form of abuse of a dominant position and also in Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 and later in Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 regulating the control of concentrations between undertakings. In case of both the legislations the crucial question is the "dominant position" of an enterprise in the market, while Article 102 of TFEU represents the ex post control, i.e. applies only to the possible abuse of the dominant position, and in this sense the dominant position itself is not the...