CCI ORDERS ANOTHER INVESTIGATION AGAINST GOOGLE’S ALLEGED ABUSE OF DOMINANCE BY GOOGLE PAY IN THE MARKET FOR ONLINE APP BASED PAYMENTS

This case provides the third instance in which CCI directed investigation into specific conducts by Google and is an off shoot of the investigation underway against Google for allegedly leveraging its dominant position in the markets for licensable Android OS for Smartphone manufacturers and the market for App stores for its Android OS to protect its market position in the market for App facilitating payment though UPIs, in terms of specific provisions of Section 4(2)(e) of the Act. Noticeably, CCI has directed investigation only in two , though major allegations , while dismissing three other allegations of favoritism, manipulations etc.by Google in it search results for Google Pay in the absence of any tangible evidence

CCI dismisses allegations on WhatsApp and Facebook for abuse of dominance in digital payments market

CCI dismisses allegations on WhatsApp and Facebook for abuse of dominance in digital payments market By way of order dated 18.08.2020, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has dismissed allegations of abuse of dominance by WhatsApp Inc (“WhatsApp”) and Facebook Inc (“Facebook”) in the market for internet-based messaging application through smartphones to manipulate another market…

WEBINAR ON EXCLUSIVE CLAUSES IN COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS: COMPETITION CONCERNS -5TH JUNE 2020

WEBINAR ON EXCLUSIVE CLAUSES IN COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS: COMPETITION CONCERNS –  5TH JUNE 2020   While continuing to fight the Covid-19 Pandemic and working from home, like most other lawyers in India, knowledge dissemination has proved to be a silver lining. I decided to conduct a series of webinars on antitrust issues of larger importance. I…

CCI exonerates food aggregator Swiggy from allegations of imposing unfair prices on customers -sans market definition

CCI exonerates food aggregator Swiggy from allegations of imposing unfair prices on customers -sans market definition   By way of order dated 19.06.20, the Competition Commission of India (“CCI/Commission”) has dismissed allegations of imposing unfair prices on customers and thereby abusing its dominant position by Bundl Technologies Pvt. Ltd (“Swiggy”). Background & Allegations Information before…

NCLAT dismisses Verifone appeals -upholds CCI finding of abuse of dominance in POS Terminals market

NCLAT dismisses Verifone appeals -upholds CCI finding of abuse of dominance in POS Terminals market   By way of judgement dated 13.03.2020, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (“NCLAT”) has upheld two orders dated 10.04.2015 passed by the Competition Commission of India (“CCI/Commission”) holding that Verifone India Sales Pvt. Ltd (“Verifone”) has abused its dominant…

CCI fines Grasim for exploitative abuse of its dominant position in the market for supply of VSF to spinners in India

CCI fines Grasim for exploitative abuse of its dominant position in the market for supply of VSF to spinners in India By way of order dated 16.03.2020, the Competition Commission of India (“CCI/Commission”) has imposed a fine of INR 301.6 Crores on Grasim Industries Ltd (“Grasim”) for abusing its dominant position in the market for…

NCLAT dismissed appeal by Adani Gas -upholds CCI’s finding on Abuse of Dominant Position

NCLAT dismissed appeal by Adani Gas -upholds CCI’s finding on Abuse of Dominant Position   The  National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (“NCLAT”), vide judgement dated 05.03.2020, has upheld the order dated 03.07.2014 passed by the Competition Commission of India (“CCI/Commission”) for abuse of dominant position by M/s Adani Gas Limited (“Adani’) in the relevant market…

NCLAT directs investigation into alleged abuse of dominant position by Flipkart -Quashes earlier CCI order closing the case

NCLAT directs investigation into alleged abuse of dominant position by Flipkart -Quashes earlier CCI order closing the case By a recent  judgment dated 04.03.2020, the Hon’ble National Company Appellate Tribunal (“NCLAT”) has set aside the order dated 06.11.2018 passed by the Competition Commission of India (“CCI”) dismissing allegations of Abuse of Dominant Position by Flipkart…

CCI directs another probe into MMT and OYO on allegations by Treebo Hotels

CCI directs another probe into MMT and OYO on allegations by Treebo Hotels   The Competition Commission of India (“CCI/Commission”), vide order dated 24.02.2020, has passed another  order under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 (“the Act”) directing investigation by the Director General (“DG”) after being prima facie convinced that (i) the vertical arrangement…