CCI dismisses allegations against GIST

The Competition Commission has dismissed allegations of unfair business practices against Global Information Systems Technology (GIST), a provider of subscriptions to various e-journals.
It was alleged that GIST, which represents many global publishers in India and is also a leading subscription agent, was charging "exorbitant" prices for subscriptions of e-journals.
The watchdog has dismissed the allegations after finding that prima-facie there was no violation of competition norms since GIST is not in a dominant position in the relevant market.
The relevant market considered was 'services for providing subscription of e-journals to technical institutions as prescribed by AICTE in India'.
According to the complainant, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has placed GIST in a dominant position as some of the e-journals that were to be compulsorily subscribed were only available with the company.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said there are other players like Allied Publishers, Balani Infotech and Informatics that provide subscription of e-journals.

Furthermore, the technical institutions also have the option of subscribing directly from the website of e-journals as prescribed by AICTE, it added.
"Thus, prima facie, opposite party (GIST) does not appear to be in a dominant position in the relevant market," CCI said in its order yesterday.
CCI also noted that the business of subscription for e-journals by the technical educational institutions approved by AICTE comes within the larger domain of e-commerce.