Page 8 - Cci

CCI orders probe against Google, affiliates for unfair biz in gaming apps

Fair trade regulator CCI on Thursday ordered a probe against Google and its affiliates for alleged unfair business practices with respect to listing of real money gaming apps on Play Store. While passing the order, CCI said the "the Commission directs the Director General ('DG') to cause an investigation to be made into the matter under the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Act". The Commission also directed the DG to complete the investigation and submit a consolidated report within 60 days. The probe follows a complaint by Winzo Games, accusing Google of abusing its dominant position and unfairly favouring select gaming categories, thereby distorting competition. In its 24-page order, the regulator noted that the selective inclusion of DFS and Rummy apps gives them an undue competitive advantage. "Direct access to end-users via the dominant Play Store provides a significant edge to DFS and Rummy apps, potentially disadvantaging other RMG applications," the Commission said in it

CCI rejects global major Apple's request to put antitrust report on hold

Apple asked the CCI "to take action against TWFS for non-compliance with its order" and "to withhold the revised" report, the CCI order, dated Nov. 13, seen by Reuters showed

Trade associations should work within competition law framework: CCI chief

Trade associations should work within the framework of the competition law as their activities can sometime lead to unintended consequences such as anti-competitive practices, CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur said on Friday. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) works to promote fair competition and curb unfair business ways in the market place. Addressing a regional workshop on competition law in Kolkata organised by CCI, along with Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Kaur highlighted the instrumental role played by trade and industry chambers in providing a platform for engaging in open dialogue and maintaining a level-playing field. She said trade associations have to operate within the framework of competition law, according to a release issued by the regulator. The influence wielded by trade associations can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, such as the facilitation of anti-competitive agreements or practices, she said, adding that CCI will work proactively ...

Meta to appeal against CCI's Rs 213 crore penalty, diktat on data share

On Monday, CCI imposed a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for abusing its dominant position

WhatsApp-CCI fracas explained: Why Meta is appealing against a $25.4m fine

The Competition Commission of India has accused Meta-owned WhatsApp of abusing its dominant market position in its 2021 privacy update. Here's all you need to know

CCI bars WhatsApp from sharing data with Meta firms, slaps Rs 213 cr fine

Second instance of big tech penalised for abusing dominant position

Ambuja Cements seeks CCI approval to buy majority stake in Orient Cement

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led Ambuja Cements has sought approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire a majority stake in CK Birla group firm Orient Cement Ltd in a Rs 8,100-crore deal. According to a CCI notice, the proposed transaction is a two-stage acquisition process, initiated through two share purchase agreements (SPAs) on October 22, 2024, will see Ambuja Cements initially acquiring a 46.80 per cent stake in Orient Cement. This includes a 37.90 per cent stake from the current promoter group and an additional 8.90 per cent from certain public shareholders. Pursuant to the acquisition of shares, it "triggers an obligation on the acquirer to make an open offer under Sebi's SAST (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) rules for acquisition of up to 26 per cent of the expanded share capital of the target (open offer)", according to the notice. Assuming full acceptance of open offer, the stake of Ambuja Cements will stand at 72.8 per cent, said a not

Zomato, Swiggy deny CCI antitrust violations, say media report 'misleading'

Deepinder Goyal-led Zomato clarified to the BSE that although the CCI initiated a preliminary investigation in April 2022, no findings or orders have been issued against the food delivery platform

CCI probe finds Zomato, Swiggy breached antitrust regulations: Report

The CCI documents are not public, in line with its confidentiality rules, and were shared with Swiggy, Zomato and the complainant restaurant groups in March 2024

Zomato, Swiggy face CCI probe over allegations of favouring big chains

The CCI found that Zomato signed 'exclusivity contracts' for lower commissions, while Swiggy promised business growth to restaurants listing exclusively on its platform

NCLAT rejects travel agents' plea alleging govt anti-competitive practices

The NCLAT on Friday upheld a CCI order that rejected a plea by the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) alleging anti-competitive practise by the government by exclusively using the services of their own agencies. A three-member bench also imposed a cost of Rs 5 lakh, observing that Government of India cannot be considered as an enterprise. The case pertains to a direction issued by the Department of Expenditure(DoE) in March 2006 to all government officials, including employees of PSU units to exclusively utilise the services of either Balmer Lawrie & Co or Ashok Travels and Tours. Balmer Lawrie & Co is a company under Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas while Ashok Travels and Tours is a division of state-owned India Tourism Development Corporation. Terming the directive anti-competitive, TAAI approached CCI alleging that it has restricted the market access for travel agent services for booking air tickets for the last 14 years and adversely impacted the benefits ..

CCI publishes detailed order approving merger of RIL, Disney's media assets

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday published the 48-page detailed order approving the mega media assets merger of Reliance Industries and Walt Disney, entailing various conditions, including divestment of seven TV channels. As part of seeking the regulator's approval, the parties have voluntarily agreed that they will not bundle TV ad slots for IPL, ICC and BCCI cricketing rights till the end of existing rights. Also, the parties will sell seven TV channels, including Hungama and Super Hungama. Among other conditions, the companies have voluntarily agreed that they will not bundle together the TV ad slot sales for all three cricketing rights available with them -- IPL, ICC and BCCI -- for the remaining tenure of the existing rights. "The parties will not bundle together OTT ad slot sales for all three cricketing rights available with the parties i.e. IPL, ICC and BCCI for the balance tenure of the existing rights," the 48-page order said. The parties have given a

FMCG distributors write to CCI over unfair practices by quick commerce cos

The association has also sought to facilitate a dialogue among all stakeholders, including FMCG companies

Temasek seeks CCI approval to buy stake in foodtech firm Rebel Foods

Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings has sought approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for acquiring a stake in foodtech company Rebel Foods. Temasek Holdings, through its arm Jongsong Investments Pte, is acquiring a stake in Rebel Foods -- which owns Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Oven Story and other cloud kitchens. "The proposed transaction entails the subscription of certain compulsorily convertible preference shares and the acquisition of equity share capital of the Rebel Foods Pvt Ltd (Target)," said a notice filed with the CCI on October 11. The proposed transaction is in the nature of an acquisition of shares, voting rights and falls under the Competition Act, 2002, Temasek said in the notice. "...transaction does not give rise to any competition law concerns irrespective of the manner in which the markets are defined," it added. However, to help fair trade regulator CCI in its assessment of the proposed transaction, Temasek has identified several

CCI approves JM Financial's 43% stake buy in JM Fin Credit Solutions

Fair trade regulator CCI on Tuesday cleared JM Financial's proposed acquisition of a 43 per cent stake in JM Financial Credit Solutions Ltd. JM Financial Credit Solutions is an RBI-registered systemically important non-deposit-taking non-banking finance company (NBFC). It is a subsidiary of JM Financial Ltd (JMFL). It is engaged in wholesale lending activities with a primary focus on real estate financing and corporate financing. "The proposed combination envisages acquisition of 42.99 per cent of the total paid-up share capital of JM Financial Credit Solutions Ltd (JMFCSL) by JM Financial Ltd (JMFL)," CCI said in a release. JMFL, a BSE and NSE-listed entity, is the operating cum holding company of the JM Financial Group, that provides integrated and diversified financial services on its own and through its subsidiaries. Its primary business includes investment banking business, and private equity fund management, along with undertaking operations of private wealth and portfolio .

CCI approves Mankind Pharma's purchase of Bharat Serums for $1.6 bn

Mankind Pharma, which has brands including Manforce condoms and Prega News pregnancy tests, signed an agreement to acquire Bharat Serums

CCI's latest merger overhaul may push deal timelines, increase filings

The amendments bring welcome changes like shorter assessment timelines and CCI hearings, but experts believe they may hinder ongoing deals and increase workload

TIGA Investments receives CCI's clearance to acquire stake in Dream11

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has granted a nod to Singapore-based TIGA Investments' proposal to acquire a stake in Dream11's parent company Dream Sports Inc. The deal was cleared by CCI under the green channel route. The transaction pertains to the purchase by Tiga Acquisition Corp III (Tiga) of certain preferred stock of Dream Sports Inc (DSI), along with certain rights, from an existing shareholder of DSI, the regulator said in a notice on September 23. However, the fair trade regulator CCI did not reveal the name of the existing shareholder. The US-based Dream Sports conducts its operations through its subsidiary in India, Sporta Technologies Pvt Ltd. DSI, a sports tech company, owns a portfolio of leading brands like Dream11 and FanCode. Sporta is primarily involved in the provision of online gaming and allied digital engagement services in India. TIGA Investments (TIGA) focuses on making long-term investments in differentiated businesses with strong management .

TVS Holdings, 2 others get CCI clearance to buy stakes in Home Credit India

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday approved the proposed acquisition of stakes in Home Credit India Finance by TVS Holdings, STPL, Premji Invest Group as well as other related transactions. The deal includes acquisition of 80.74 per cent, 8.47 per cent and 10.79 per cent of the issued and paid-up share capital of Home Credit by each of TVS Holdings Ltd (TVSH), STPL Trading and Services Pvt Ltd (STPL), and PI Opportunities Fund-II (PIOF), respectively. The regulator also granted its nod for the acquisition of 2.6 per cent, 4.3 per cent, 2.7 per cent, and 90.4 per cent of the equity share capital of STPL by K Gopala Desikan, Anuraag Agarwal, V Ganesh, and GWCF, respectively. The proposed combination involves acquisition of 100 per cent of the issued and paid-up share capital of Home Credit India Finance Pvt Ltd (Home Credit) by TVSH, STPL, K Gopala Desikan, Anuraag Agarwal, V Ganesh, and GWC Family Fund Investments Pte Ltd (GWCF) (STPL Acquirers) and PIOF, CCI said i

Consumer Affairs Ministry examining quick commerce competition issues

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had said in August that the government is not opposed to e-commerce but is focused on ensuring fair competition between online and offline businesses