Page 15 - Cci

NCLAT sets aside CCI penalty on ITC for not furnishing info on Savlon deal

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has set aside the penalty imposed on multi-conglomerate ITC by fair trade regulator CCI for not notifying for the acquisition of brands 'Savlon' and 'Shower to Shower' in 2017. ITC had 2017 acquired the antiseptic brand Savlon and the personal care product brand Shower To Shower from Johnson & Johnson Private. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had on December 11, 2017, imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on ITC for alleged failure to give notice under sub-section 2 of Section 6 of the Competition Act. The section mandates the enterprise, which proposes to enter into a combination, to give notice to the CCI disclosing the details of the proposed combination, within 30 days. However, the CCI's order was challenged by ITC before the NCLAT, which is an appellate authority contending that the value of the deal was Rs 68.37 crore, hence, as per the rules and regulations, there was no need for any such notification. They were exempted .

Google pays Rs 1,338 cr penalty to CCI in Android case, ADIF still cautious

The Indian market regulator had imposed the penalty on Google in October 2022 for allegedly exploiting its dominant position in the Android market

Google pays entire Rs 1,338 crore penalty to CCI in Android case

Google has paid the entire penalty amount of Rs 1,337.76 crore imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in the Android case

Auto ancillary Minda Corp approaches CCI to increase Pricol stake to 24.5%

Auto component maker Minda Corporation on Tuesday said its board has decided to approach the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to increase its stake in automotive technology firm Pricol to upto 24.5 per cent. On February 17, 2023, Minda Corporation had acquired a 15.7 per cent stake in Pricol by purchasing over 1.91 crore shares of the latter from the open market. "We would like to update that the Board of Directors in its meeting held on May 1, decided to file an application to CCI for making investment in equity shares of Pricol Ltd upto 24.5 per cent of total equity shares of Pricol, at this stage," Minda Corporation said in a regulatory filing. After buying the stake in February, Minda had maintained that it was a mere financial investment. On the other hand, the promoter family of Pricol, led by its Chairman Vanitha Mohan and Managing Director Vikram Mohan, who hold 36.53 per cent in the company had stated that they had no intention to sell their holdings. Pricol and Mind

Keeping an eye on digital space: CCI chairperson Sangeeta Verma

In August 2019, the commission introduced a 'green channel' route of approval for transactions

CCI has an assertive agenda against cartels: Chief Sangeeta Verma

The Competition Commission of India (CCI), which replaced MRTP to usher in competitive and fair business practices in the country, has an assertive agenda against cartels, its chairperson Sangeeta Verma said on Friday. She said that cartels are bad and a cartelised market does not allow honest business. "The CCI has an assertive agenda against cartels. Cartels are bad for business and do not allow conduct of honest trade", Verma said at an event organised by MCCI here. Verma said the competition law will continue to create necessary safeguards and its enforcement may be supplemented by a suitable legislative framework. According to her, the CCI so far has received 1200 cases regarding abuse of dominance across sectors like airlines, infrastructure, automobiles, real estate and digital space. The commission had already imposed a penalty on Google for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the Android ecosystem. Verma said that the CCI is closely watching the digital space, add

India's anti-trust law raises penalty, seeks deposit before appeal

India's income tax law too requires a deposit of 20% before appeal

Delhi HC issues notice in Google's appeal against single judge order

The bench considered the submissions made by the senior counsels that the members who presently comprise the CCI are disqualified for any reason

HC seeks stand of start ups' body on Google's challenge to CCI probe

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the stand of the Competition Commission of India and Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) on Google's challenge to an order asking the regulator to look into the tech giant's policy of allowing use of third-party payment processors for paid app downloads and in-app purchases on a commission basis. A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad issued notice on Google's appeal against the single judge's order, which asked the Commission to consider the plea of ADIF, an alliance of individuals and an industry representative body of innovative start-ups in the country, against the new billing system on or before April 26. Senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, appearing for the appellant entity, said he was "not asking for an interim order" at this stage. "Issue notice," said the bench. On Tuesday, the court had refused to grant urgent hearing to Google on the appeal on the same day. Google had mentioned the appe

Billing policy: Google files appeal against single-judge order of Delhi HC

Group representing digital start-ups says tech giant's system charges high service fee, is contrary to CCI's orders

Google's new payment policy: Delhi HC asks CCI to take up plea by April 26

The case pertains to a Google Play Store policy that requires all app developers to only use Google Play's billing system (GPBS) to charge customers

Online gaming firms criticise Google for commission in alternative billing

Play Store allows alternate billing systems but service fees defeats purpose of fair play, they say

Delhi HC asks CCI to take up ADIF's complaints against Google by April 26

The new billing system will go into effect on April 26

CCI clears Berhyanda's 76% stake acquisition in Suven Pharmaceuticals

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday said it has cleared Berhyanda Ltd's acquisition of a 76.10 per cent stake in pharmaceutical firm Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Berhyanda Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berhyanda Midco Ltd, which is an affiliate of Advent International Corporation. The proposed combination relates to the acquisition by Berhyanda Ltd for up to 76.10 per cent of the voting share capital of Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd, by way of a share purchase agreement dated December 26, 2022, and pursuant to the mandatory open offer in compliance with Sebi's SAST (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) regulations, according to an official release. Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company that offers its services to global pharmaceutical and agrochemical majors. Deals beyond a certain threshold require approval from the regulator, which keeps a tab on unfair business practices in the marketplace.

Tatas, Singapore Airlines seek CCI nod for Vistara-Air India merger

Deal will not change competitive landscape, say parties

Indian start-ups may take legal route against Google in-app billing

They argue that the charges are "exorbitant", make any alternative billing apart from GPBS economically unviable for them

NCLAT's 'effects analysis' order on Google may hinder other big tech probes

Present competition law does not provide for effects analysis. Conducting one would mean letting anti-competitive practices continue and taking action once adverse effects have already been created

Google gets relief on four key CCI directives, but Rs 1,338-cr fine stays

NCLAT upholds competition watchdog's observation that Google misused dominant position in Android ecosystem

Google relieved after partial victory in Android antitrust case in India

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in October that Google had exploited its dominant position in Android and told it to remove restrictions imposed on device makers

NCLAT upholds Competition Commission's Rs 1,337 crore penalty on Google

The NCLAT bench comprising chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and member Alok Srivastava said that the CCI investigation was not in violation of the principles of natural justice