Two players in the sector for the mass distribution of legal and economic information on companies are accused of having implemented an anticompetitive agreement aimed at circumventing the objective of the legislator to foster competition in the sector, in particular by enabling new players to access certain information free of charge.



The General Rapporteur indicates that after having notified the objection in October 2023, a report was notified a few days ago.



Following the statement of objections, the investigative action of notifying the report therefore opens the second round of the inter partes proceedings and enables the parties to exercise their rights of defence. It does not prejudge the guilt of the companies that have received the statement of objections and the report. Only an inter partes investigation, respecting the rights of defence of the parties concerned, will enable the Board to determine, after exchanging written observations and following an oral hearing, whether the objections are well-founded.



The Autorité de la concurrence will not comment further on the practice in question.
      
      
      

                
          
            The Autorité can communicate on its investigative actions
      
            

Article L. 463-6 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) provides that the Autorité may publish brief information relating to the actions (statement of objections, preparation of a report) that it takes with a view to the investigation, observation or sanction of anticompetitive practices, when the publication of this information is carried out in the public interest and in strict compliance with the presumption of innocence of the companies or associations of companies concerned.



The report is the Investigation Services’ response to the observations made by the parties after the statement of objections, which is the “indictment”. The statement of objections is sent by the Investigation Services to companies or organisations suspected of having implemented anticompetitive practices (mainly cartels and abuse of dominant position).



The investigative action of notifying the report opens the second round of the inter partes proceedings before the Autorité, during which the parties can make any legal or factual observations, in accordance with their rights of defence. The second inter partes round is followed by an oral hearing before the Board, during which the parties, the Government Commissioner and, where applicable, witnesses or experts are heard.
      
      

                
          
              


      
      

                
          
  
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            Nicola Crawford
      
      
            Communication officer
      
    
    
      
            +33155040151
      
      
     Contact us by e-mail

French Competition Authority Investigates Anticompetitive Practices in Legal Information Sector

Two companies in the legal and economic information distribution sector are under scrutiny for allegedly forming an anticompetitive agreement to impede competition and limit access to specific data.

The General Rapporteur has notified a report to the companies following an objection in October 2023, initiating the second phase of investigations where the parties can defend themselves.

The Autorité de la concurrence, in line with the French Commercial Code, may disclose limited information on its actions related to investigating anticompetitive practices, ensuring the presumption of innocence for the involved companies.

The report, a response to parties' observations post the objection, marks the next phase in the investigation process, allowing for further legal and factual arguments from the concerned parties before an oral hearing.



French Competition Authority Investigates Anticompetitive Practices in Legal Information Sector

The French Competition Authority is investigating two companies in the legal information sector for allegedly implementing anticompetitive practices to hinder competition and restrict access to certain information.