Brussels — European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager announced the opening of three investigations today involving video game makers, electronics makers and tour operators suspected of anticompetitive practices. Vestager said she wants to ensure consumers have a wider choice of goods and services, and make purchases across borders.
This action follows the publication of DG Competition’s preliminary report on the E-commerce Sector Inquiry in September, which identified competition concerns in Europe’s e-commerce market.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association has advocated for open markets for four decades, and has expressed concern about so-called online marketplace bans, i.e. restrictions imposed by manufacturers on authorized retailers prohibiting them from selling through online marketplaces. The following can be attributed to Jakob Kucharczyk, Director, CCIA Europe:
“This is a welcome initial step as the Commission identifies barriers to e-commerce and works on making the Digital Single Market a reality. We remain hopeful that other major restrictions to e-commerce like online marketplace bans will also be addressed. These restrictions are equally harmful in that they prevent greater consumer choice and price transparency in day-to-day, mass-market products.”