Assessment of the Vertical Mergers, Before and After the Non-Horizontal Merger Guidelines, is there a Difference?

Abstract

This paper specifically looks at the differences or the similarities in the assessment of the vertical mergers conducted by the European Commission before and after the Non-Horizontal Merger Guidelines. It will begin with the introduction of the New Guidelines adopted in 2007 and its aims and approaches in connection with vertical mergers. Furthermore, the factors will be reviewed which led to the emergence of New guidelines. Moreover, the vertical merger cases before and after the adoption of New Guidelines will be examined. Finally, there will be the comparative analysis of the assessment of the vertical mergers before and after the Non-Horizontal Merger Guidelines.