Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law

Abstract

The book discusses the EU competition law regime and practice in respect of vertical agreements. The concept of vertical agreements is not limited to distribution arrangements, but covers also supply and subcontracting scenarios. Particular attention is paid to e-commerce and the sector-specific rules applicable to the automotive industry (Regulation 461/2010). The book covers systematically the various aspects of Regulation 330/2010, which is the European block exemption regulation generally applicable to vertical agreements, as well as the Vertical Guidelines related thereto. In addition to a systematic presentation of the relevant legal concepts, the book provides practical guidance and concrete cases. Such cases include European precedents and decisions adopted in national competition law proceedings. The authors have inserted concrete examples stemming from their private practice in the field. The book offers concrete guidance for vertical agreements falling outside of the scope of Regulation 330/2010 where the parties may need to conduct a so-called self-assessment. It describes the economic theories underpinning such assessment and presents the relevant economic concepts in a digestible manner. The book is intended as an easy reference tool for private practitioners and legal scholars. The second edition of the book has been labelled by many practitioners as their ‘bible’ on vertical agreements.