| Author (Person) | Tait, Nikki |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Financial Times |
| Series Details | 25.6.08 |
| Publication Date | 25/06/2008 |
| Content Type | News |
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The European Commission has filed cases June 2008 with the Tribunal de Commerce in Brussels seeking compensation from four lifts companies for damages suffered from inflated prices for the installation and maintenance of lifts and escalators. In 2007 these companies were found by the Commission to have operated illegal cartels in several countries, in breach of EC Treaty rules on cartels and restrictive business practices (see IP/07/209). No final amount of the damage can yet be calculated, given the complexity and variety of contractual relations, but it is expected that expert assessments in the context of the court cases will help identify the total amount of overpayment suffered. The Commission's action covers claims for its own buildings and those of other EU institutions, both in Brussels and Luxembourg. It is the first time the European Commission has sued a cartel on its own behalf in the civil courts and comes as the Commission puts increasing pressure on companies that fix prices. |
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| Subject Categories | Internal Markets |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
