Press Release: New German system of fixed booked prices does not violate EU competition rules as long as certain conditions are respected

The European Commission has, after a first examination, reached the preliminary conclusion that the new agreements between publishers and booksellers in Germany on fixed book prices at national level do not fall within the scope of application of the EC competition rules. The condition for this, however, is that the rules on re-imports of German books and direct cross-border sales to end consumers at free prices are respected. With the publication of a notice pursuant to Article 19 (3) of Council Regulation No. 17 the Commission has announced its intention to give clearance to the agreements notified. At the same time it has invited comments from interested third parties.