Page 16 - Cci

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

Competition Commission conducting inquiries against big tech firms: Govt

Competition Commission is conducting inquiries against Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Swiggy, BookMyShow, Apple, WhatsApp, Facebook (Meta) and Google for alleged anti-competitive practices, the government said on Tuesday. To a query in the Rajya Sabha on whether the government is aware of the fact that anti-competitive practices are indulged by big tech companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Google, Meta, Twitter, Apple, Facebook, Twitter and Google etc in the country, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied in the affirmative. In a written reply, the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister said the Competition Commission of India (CCI) after conducting inquiries in three different cases, passed orders in the matter related to Google on January 31, 2018, October 20, 2022, and October 25, 2022. In the matter related to MakeMyTrip-Go and OYO, the order was passed on October 19, 2022. "Appeals have been filed against these orders passed by CCI. Inquiries against Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Swiggy

CCI clears GMR Airports Infrastructure-Aeroports de Paris SA deal

Fair-trade regulator CCI on Friday said it has approved the proposed deal of GMR Airports Infrastructure and Aeroports de Paris SA (ADP) under the green channel route. The proposed combination involves ADP's proposed acquisition of and subscription to foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCB) issued by GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd, according to a CCI notice. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has cleared the deal. It has also given nod to the proposed intra-group merger of GMR Airports Ltd and GMR Infra Developers Ltd (GIDL) with and into GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd. Also, the regulator has given its nod to the proposed acquisition by ADP (and its group entities) of equity shares and optionally convertible redeemable preference shares of GMR Airports Infrastructure post-merger, CCI said. On March 19, GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd (GIL) announced the merger of GMR Airports Ltd with GIL. ADP is an international airport operator owned by the French Government, while G

CCI approves ADIA's stake buy in Lenskart under green channel route

Fair-trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday said it has given approval under the green channel route to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority for acquiring a stake in Lenskart Solutions Pvt Ltd (LSPL). Under the green channel route, wherein a transaction, which does not raise any risk of an appreciable adverse effect on competition, is deemed to be approved on being intimated to the competition watchdog. The proposed transaction relates to the proposed acquisition of a certain shareholding of LSPL by Platinum Jasmine A 2018 Trust (Platinum Jasmine), a notice filed with the CCI said. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is the sole beneficiary and settlor of Platinum Jasmine, while LSPL is engaged in the business of manufacture, sale and wholesale trading of eyewear products. CCI said it has approved the deal. Last week, Lenskart announced that it has signed definitive documents for a USD 500 million investment from a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADIA. "There ar

CCI clears investment by Qatar Investment Authority in BTS Investment 1 Pte

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday said it has approved the proposed investment by Qatar Investment Authority in BTS Investment 1 Pte (BTS1), a Singapore-based pooled vehicle. QIA is a sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, while BTS1 is an investment venture firm of James Murdoch's Lupa Systems and ex-chairman of Star and Disney India Uday Shankar. The proposed transaction relates to the proposed investment by Qatar Investment Authority in BTS1, which is raising capital from various investors for its investment in Viacom18, CCI said. Last year in February, Murdoch and Shankar announced the formation of the firm, Bodhi Tree Systems (BTS) raising up to USD 1.5 billion from QIA. Thereafter, in April, BTS said that it will invest Rs 13,500 crore in broadcaster Viacom18 as part of a tripartite partnership with billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, to form one of the largest TV and digital streaming firms in India. In September 2022, fair-trade regulator CCI on

CCI approves LIC AMC's acquisition of management rights over IDBI MF scheme

The proposed combination entails LIC AMC's acquisition of the rights to manage and administer the schemes of IDBI MF from IDBI AMC

CCI to set up in-house digital mkt data unit for regulating tech platforms

Jyoti Jindgar Bhanot, secretary of the CCI, emphasised on early intervention as a key to ensure that competitive landscape in digital markets is not distorted beyond repair

Govt extends deadline to apply for CCI chief's post till March 27

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has extended the deadline for submitting applications for the post of Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) till March 27. Earlier, the deadline to submit the applications was March 9. The last date for receipt of application has been extended up to 27th March 2023, according to a notice issued by the MCA on Monday. "The candidates who had applied earlier in response to the previous advertisement/ vacancy circular dated 26th July, 2022 inviting applications for the post of Chairperson need not apply," the notice said. Last month, the government had invited applications for the post of Chairperson of the fair-trade regulator. The post has been lying vacant since October 25. Sangeeta Verma, a CCI member, has been the acting chairperson since October last year. Recently, her tenure was extended by the central government for three months. CCI keeps a tab on anti-competitive practices across sectors in the market place and al

NCLAT concludes hearing, reserves judgement over Google's plea against CCI

The NCLAT on Monday concluded its hearing over the petition filed by Google, in which the tech giant challenged the Competition Commission's order imposing a Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. A two-member bench of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) was conducting the hearing on a day-to-day basis for over a month. "Heard Learned Counsel for the parties. Hearing is completed. Judgment Reserved," said the NCLAT bench comprising Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and Member Alok Srivastava. On October 20 last year, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) slapped a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. The regulator had also ordered the internet major to cease and desist from various unfair business practices. This ruling was challenged before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which is an appellate authority over the .

Google's 'castle and moat' strategy is data hegemony: CCI tells NCLAT

Fair trade regulator CCI on Thursday alleged that Google has created a digital data hegemony and called for a market space with "free, fair and open competition". Concluding the arguments of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) before the appellate tribunal NCLAT in the Google matter, Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman said a market with greater freedom for all players would be in total sync with principles of free competition rather than the 'walled garden' approach of the internet major. On October 20 last year, the CCI slapped a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. The regulator had also ordered the internet major to cease and desist from various unfair business practices. This ruling has been challenged before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). On Thursday, Venkataraman submitted that Google had used its money-spinning search engine as the 'castle' and the rest of the other a

Jayant Sinha to introduce Competition (Amendment) Bill 2023 on Friday

The list of private members business on the Lok Sabha's website mentions this bill to be introduced on March 17

Google is not just dominant but 'super dominant', CCI tells NCLAT

Argues that competition law puts onus on Google not to abuse its dominant position and not allow its conduct to impair genuine undistorted competition

CCI approves acquisition of 100% equity share capital of L&T IDPL, KTL

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of 100 per cent of the equity share capital of L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Limited (L&T IDPL) and Kudgi Transmission Limited (KTL), by Epic Concesiones Private Limited (ECPL) and Infrastructure Yield Plus II (IYP II), respectively, under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.

Reliance buyout of METRO Cash & Carry India gets CCI's clearance

METRO India began operations in India in 2003 and was the first company to introduce a cash-and-carry business format in the country

CCI clears Reliance's over $300 million buy of Metro's local business

Metro has been active in the Indian market since 2003 and reported sales of about Rs 7,700 crore for the financial year ended September 2022

Govt panel concludes stakeholder discussion on digital competition law

Govt panel concludes stakeholder discussion on digital competition law

Policy decisions see a disconnect as regulators remain headless

"It is not good governance practice and sends the wrong signals to the corporate world. The selection process should start three months before the incumbent retires. Bureaucracy needs to push harder"

Government invites applications for CCI Chairperson post till March 9

The government on Thursday invited applications for the post of Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Since October 25, the post has been lying vacant. According to a public notice issued by the corporate affairs ministry, the applicants should have professional experience of at least 15 years in international trade, economics, business, commerce, law finance, accountancy, management, industry, public affairs or competition matters, The person, if selected, can hold the office for a term of five years from the date of joining the post or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. The monthly salary will be Rs 4.50 lakh. Applications for the post can be submitted till March 9. "The candidates who had applied earlier in response to the previous advertisement/vacancy circular dated 26th July, 2022 inviting applications for the post of Chairperson need not apply," the notice said. Sangeeta Verma, who is a CCI Member, has been the acting Chairperson since Octo

Google disobeying CCI orders blatantly: Digital start-up thinktank

The CCI in October 2022 directed Google to make significant changes to its Play Store policies after it found several anti-competitive practices on the platform