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Distribution Law Center Yearly Update on Verticals – 10 October 2024 – Join our online lunch seminar – More information available here

contrast
Our contributor for
Belgium, Europe

contrast

contrast is a household name in the field of EU competition law and vertical agreements. The monograph “Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law” published by Oxford University Press is already in its third edition and is considered by many practitioners as the “bible” in this field of competition law. contrast was invited by DG Competition of the EU Commission to act as expert in the preparation of the new block exemption regime on vertical agreements. The Expert Report is published in the meantime on the DG Competition website (link). contrast assists both international and national clients with the implementation of complex distribution structures, that are often tailor-made to the specific needs of the business and the client. On account of its reputation in the field of competition law, the Belgian competition practice of contrast is ranked in Band 1 in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. 

Phone number

+32 2 275 00 75

Fax number

+32 2 275 00 70

contrast

Minervastraat 5

1930 Zaventem

Belgium

Meet the contributors

Upcoming events from contrast

Past events from contrast

Latest contributions from contrast

Distribution Talks #2 - Use restrictions
Distribution Talks

Distribution Talks #2 - Use restrictions



DLC Meet-up 2024 - Everything you need to know
News

DLC Meet-up 2024 - Everything you need to know



Mondelēz fined for cross-border trade restrictions
News

Mondelēz fined for cross-border trade restrictions



Distribution Talks #1 - Online Marketplaces
Distribution Talks

Distribution Talks #1 - Online Marketplaces



A new edition of Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law is forthcoming alongside a series of local editions
News

A new edition of Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law is forthcoming alongside a series of local editions



Belgian Competition Authority fines manufacturer of cookware for imposing resale prices on its distributors
News

Belgian Competition Authority fines manufacturer of cookware for imposing resale prices on its distributors



Second Virtual VBER Event - Q&A
Article

Second Virtual VBER Event - Q&A



VIRTUAL VBER EVENT – Everything you need to know about 1 year VBER!
News

VIRTUAL VBER EVENT – Everything you need to know about 1 year VBER!



Join us online for our second Virtual VBER Event!
News

Join us online for our second Virtual VBER Event!

Join us online next Thursday 12 October 2023 for our lunch seminar. In 2 hours, we will bring you up to speed with what you…



Commission sends Statement of Objections to Pierre Cardin and its licensee Ahlers
News

Commission sends Statement of Objections to Pierre Cardin and its licensee Ahlers



A useful reminder of basic competition law principles applying to vertical agreements!
News

A useful reminder of basic competition law principles applying to vertical agreements!



Commission prolongs Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation and updates the Supplementary Guidelines
News

Commission prolongs Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation and updates the Supplementary Guidelines



Abusive conduct by distributors may be imputed to dominant producer according to Court of Justice
News

Abusive conduct by distributors may be imputed to dominant producer according to Court of Justice



Belgian Competition Authority reimposes fine on Caudalie for vertical restraints
News

Belgian Competition Authority reimposes fine on Caudalie for vertical restraints



VBER INSIGHTS #1 - Fulfilment contracts
Analysis

VBER INSIGHTS #1 - Fulfilment contracts



Virtual VBER Event
News

Virtual VBER Event



The Distribution Law Center explores the new VBER and Vertical Guidelines
News

The Distribution Law Center explores the new VBER and Vertical Guidelines

Authors: TGS Baltic Estonia

The European Commission formally adopts Vertical Guidelines in all languages
News

The European Commission formally adopts Vertical Guidelines in all languages



Distribution Law Center Countdown XXIV - Wrap-up (The new VBER regime in a nutshell)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown XXIV - Wrap-up (The new VBER regime in a nutshell)



European Commission adopted the new VBER and Vertical Guidelines
News

European Commission adopted the new VBER and Vertical Guidelines



Distribution Law Center Countdown XV - Dual distribution (Extension of exception to wholesalers and importers)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown XV - Dual distribution (Extension of exception to wholesalers and importers)



Distribution Law Center Countdown XIV - Active sales restrictions (Rolling over prohibition)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown XIV - Active sales restrictions (Rolling over prohibition)



Distribution Law Center Countdown XIII - Active sales restrictions (Parallel imposition requirement)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown XIII - Active sales restrictions (Parallel imposition requirement)



Distribution Law Center Countdown XII - Active sales restrictions (Exclusivity condition)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown XII - Active sales restrictions (Exclusivity condition)



Distribution Law Center Countdown XI - Hardcore restrictions (Equivalence)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown XI - Hardcore restrictions (Equivalence)



Distribution Law Center Countdown VIII - Hardcore restrictions (general)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown VIII - Hardcore restrictions (general)



European Commission published expert report on information exchanges in a dual distribution context
News

European Commission published expert report on information exchanges in a dual distribution context



Distribution Law Center Countdown VII - Non-compete restrictions (post term)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown VII - Non-compete restrictions (post term)



Distribution Law Center Countdown VI - Non-compete restrictions
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown VI - Non-compete restrictions



Distribution Law Center Countdown V- Agency (“Dual role” agents)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown V- Agency (“Dual role” agents)



Distribution Law Center Countdown IV - Agency (Definition and temporary transfer of ownership)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown IV - Agency (Definition and temporary transfer of ownership)



Distribution Law Center Countdown III - Agency (Legal test)
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown III - Agency (Legal test)



Distribution Law Center Countdown II - Overview of distribution systems
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown II - Overview of distribution systems



Belgian court annuls Caudalie’s fine for RPM
News

Belgian court annuls Caudalie’s fine for RPM



Distribution Law Center Countdown I - European competition rules relating to distribution, agency and supply agreements about to change
Countdown

Distribution Law Center Countdown I - European competition rules relating to distribution, agency and supply agreements about to change



BREAKING NEWS - Distribution Law Center launches its countdown newsletters – Let’s get ready for 1 June 2022!
Countdown

BREAKING NEWS - Distribution Law Center launches its countdown newsletters – Let’s get ready for 1 June 2022!



Vertical agreements discussed at the 2021 Advanced EU Competition Law Conference
News

Vertical agreements discussed at the 2021 Advanced EU Competition Law Conference



DG Competition publishes summary of comments received in context of VBER review
News

DG Competition publishes summary of comments received in context of VBER review



Belgian National Competition Authority President Jacques Steenbergen pleads for strict approach on RPM
News

Belgian National Competition Authority President Jacques Steenbergen pleads for strict approach on RPM



Sustainability related agreements addressed at DG Competition workshop
News

Sustainability related agreements addressed at DG Competition workshop



DG Competition workshop on joint purchasing
News

DG Competition workshop on joint purchasing



The Distribution Law Center publishes new European case card
News

The Distribution Law Center publishes new European case card



Successful Launch Distribution Law Center
News

Successful Launch Distribution Law Center



Countdown towards entry into force of new regime on vertical relationships
Countdown

Countdown towards entry into force of new regime on vertical relationships



Distribution Law Center contributes to EU legislative process
News

Distribution Law Center contributes to EU legislative process



Expert Report on territorial and customer restrictions
News

Expert Report on territorial and customer restrictions



The Distribution Law Center presents the Belgian and Dutch book "Distributieovereenkomsten (EU - België - Nederland)"
Article

The Distribution Law Center presents the Belgian and Dutch book "Distributieovereenkomsten (EU - België - Nederland)"

Authors: Banning, Filip Tuytschaever, Minos van Joolingen, Silvia Vinken, Esra van der Wolk

Booking.com (C-264/23)
Case card
NEW

Booking.com (C-264/23)

Price parity clauses



Pronuptia (IV/30937)
Case card

Pronuptia (IV/30937)

Ancillary restraints in the context of vertical agreements



Melia (Holiday Pricing) (AT.40528)
Case card

Melia (Holiday Pricing) (AT.40528)

Cross-border sales restrictions



Pioneer (AT.40182)
Case card

Pioneer (AT.40182)

Resale price maintenance



Philips (AT.40181)
Case card

Philips (AT.40181)

Resale price maintenance



Asus (AT.40465)
Case card

Asus (AT.40465)

Resale price maintenance



Denon & Marantz (AT.40469)
Case card

Denon & Marantz (AT.40469)

Resale price maintenance



Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique (C-439/09)
Case card

Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique (C-439/09)

Online sales ban



DaimlerChrysler v. Commission (T-325/01)
Case card

DaimlerChrysler v. Commission (T-325/01)

Genuine agency



Guess (AT.40428)
Case card

Guess (AT.40428)

By object restrictions imposed within a selective distribution network



Nuclear Laser Medicine / Innogenetics (C.05.0290.N)
Case card

Nuclear Laser Medicine / Innogenetics (C.05.0290.N)

Exclusive distribution agreements



Pronuptia (161/84)
Case card

Pronuptia (161/84)

Ancillary restraints in the context of vertical agreements



Character merchandise (Sanrio) (AT.40432)
Case card

Character merchandise (Sanrio) (AT.40432)

Limitation of out-of-territory sales by licensees



Auto 24 (C-158/11)
Case card

Auto 24 (C-158/11)

Selective distribution



Film merchandise (Universal) (AT.40433)
Case card

Film merchandise (Universal) (AT.40433)

Limitation of out-of-territory sales and of sales to allocated customers by licensees



Javico (C-306/96)
Case card

Javico (C-306/96)

Prohibition of re-import



AEG v. Commission (107/82)
Case card

AEG v. Commission (107/82)

Selective distribution



Ancillary sports merchandise (Nike) (AT.40436)
Case card

Ancillary sports merchandise (Nike) (AT.40436)

Limitation of out-of-territory sales by licensees



BAI and Commission v. Bayer (C-2/01 P and C-3/01 P)
Case card

BAI and Commission v. Bayer (C-2/01 P and C-3/01 P)

Unilateral conduct (supply quotas)



Béguelin Import (22/71)
Case card

Béguelin Import (22/71)

Parallel trade



Bulk Oil (174/84)
Case card

Bulk Oil (174/84)

Destination clauses non-member countries



CEEES (C-217/05)
Case card

CEEES (C-217/05)

Genuine agency



CEPSA (C-279/06)
Case card

CEPSA (C-279/06)

Genuine agency



Commission v. Volkswagen (C-74/04 P)
Case card

Commission v. Volkswagen (C-74/04 P)

Definition of agreement



Coty Germany (C-230/16)
Case card

Coty Germany (C-230/16)

Third-party platform ban



Ford v. Commission (25/84 and 26/84)
Case card

Ford v. Commission (25/84 and 26/84)

Unilateral conduct (circular to dealer network)



Ford v. Commission (interim measures) (228/82 and 229/82)
Case card

Ford v. Commission (interim measures) (228/82 and 229/82)

Unilateral conduct (circular to dealer network)



Leclerc v. Commission (T-19/92)
Case card

Leclerc v. Commission (T-19/92)

Selective distribution



Leclerc v. Commission (T-88/92)
Case card

Leclerc v. Commission (T-88/92)

Selective distribution



L’Oréal (31/80)
Case card

L’Oréal (31/80)

Selective distribution



Metro v. Commission (26/76)
Case card

Metro v. Commission (26/76)

Selective distribution



Tipp-Ex (IV/31.192)
Case card

Tipp-Ex (IV/31.192)

Parallel trade



Tretorn and others (IV/32.948 – IV/34.590)
Case card

Tretorn and others (IV/32.948 – IV/34.590)

Parallel trade



Vichy v. Commission (T-19/91)
Case card

Vichy v. Commission (T-19/91)

Selective distribution



Distribution Talks: use restrictions
Newsletter

Distribution Talks: use restrictions


Distribution Talks: online marketplaces
Publication

Distribution Talks: online marketplaces


PowerPoint Distribution Law Center Meet-up 2023
Presentation

PowerPoint Distribution Law Center Meet-up 2023

Authors: Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein, Banning, Arntzen de Besche, Chrysses Demetriades & Co, contrast, Delchev & Partners, Dittmar & Indrenius, Divjak Topić Bahtijarević & Krka, E+H, Eversheds Sutherland, Havel & Partners Czech Republic, Havel & Partners Slovakia, Horten, Kyriakides Georgopoulos, Modzelewska & Paśnik, Mușat & Asociații, Pavia e Ansaldo, Pérez-Llorca, Philippe & partners, SBGK, Šelih & partnerji, SRS, TGS Baltic Estonia, TGS Baltic Latvia, TGS Baltic Lithuania
By DLC
Vertical agreements: overview of European case law
Article

Vertical agreements: overview of European case law


Observations on the Draft Revised VBER and VGL
Publication

Observations on the Draft Revised VBER and VGL


VBER Road map - Figure 1
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 1


VBER Road map - Figure 10
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 10


VBER Road map - Figure 11
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 11


VBER Road map - Figure 12
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 12


VBER Road map - Figure 13
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 13


VBER Road map - Figure 14
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 14


VBER Road map - Figure 2
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 2


VBER Road map - Figure 3
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 3


VBER Road map - Figure 4
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 4


VBER Road map - Figure 5
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 5


VBER Road map - Figure 6
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 6


VBER Road map - Figure 7
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 7


VBER Road map - Figure 8
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 8


VBER Road map - Figure 9
Publication

VBER Road map - Figure 9


Article

Vertical Agreements and Dominant Firms - Chapter 1 - European Union

Authors: Emmelie Wijckmans
Article

Selective distribution and e-commerce: state of play after the Coty case

Authors: Sébastien Engelen
Book

Distribution Agreements

Authors: Filip Tuytschaever
Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law (3rd edition)
Book

Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law (3rd edition)

Authors: Filip Tuytschaever
Vertical restraints - Time for no change?
Article

Vertical restraints - Time for no change?


Review of selective distribution. Does Nike walk alongside its shoes?
Article

Review of selective distribution. Does Nike walk alongside its shoes?


Annotation: Burden of proof in private enforcement in a vertical context. A balancing act.
Article

Annotation: Burden of proof in private enforcement in a vertical context. A balancing act.

Authors: Herlinde Burez, Anouk Focquet
ACM supervision of vertical agreements
Article

ACM supervision of vertical agreements


Pozuelo 4: de Minimis Treatment of Exclusive Purchase (single Branding) Obligations
Article

Pozuelo 4: de Minimis Treatment of Exclusive Purchase (single Branding) Obligations


Distribution Agreements in competition law
Book

Distribution Agreements in competition law

Authors: Filip Tuytschaever
Second line price discrimination by a vertically integrated company (or not)?
Article

Second line price discrimination by a vertically integrated company (or not)?

Authors: Herlinde Burez
Article

Exclusive and selective distribution: variants on the same theme?

Authors: Peter Wytinck
Article

Ten challenges for 2010 a practitioner's perspective on the revision of regulation 2790/99


Book

Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law (2de edition)

Authors: Filip Tuytschaever
Vertical agreements: a European facelift
Article

Vertical agreements: a European facelift


Vertical Agreements in EC Competition Law
Book

Vertical Agreements in EC Competition Law

Authors: Filip Tuytschaever, Alain Vanderelst
Article

Distribution law from a competition law perspective: a proposal for a pragmatic approach


Active Sales Restrictions Revisited
Article

Active Sales Restrictions Revisited

Authors: Filip Tuytschaever
Book

EC Block Exemption, Vertical Agreements and Motor Vehicle Distribution

Authors: Filip Tuytschaever, Alain Vanderelst
Article

That's it for active sales prohibitions

Authors: Filip Tuytschaever
Article

Article on the Commission's Evaluation Report on Regulation (EC) N° 1475/95 on motor vehicle distribution and servicing

Authors: Filip Tuytschaever
Article

Vertical restraints in EC Competion law: a radical turnaround


Article

The EC Commission's draft regulation on motor vehicle distrubtion: alea iacta est.

Authors: Alain Vanderelst
Article

Commercial agency and EC law


Article

Franchising and EEC Cartel Law: a sudden love affair or a lasting marriage?


Other contributing offices

Hover over a country and click to see the office.

Germany

Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein

Norway

Arntzen de Besche

The Netherlands

Banning

Sweden

Cederquist

Cyprus

Chrysses Demetriades & Co

Belgium

contrast

Europe

contrast

Bulgaria

Delchev & Partners

Finland

Dittmar & Indrenius

Croatia

Divjak Topić Bahtijarević & Krka

All jurisdictions (DLC icon)

DLC

Austria

E+H

United Kingdom

Eversheds Sutherland

Czech Republic

Havel & Partners Czech Republic

Slovakia

Havel & Partners Slovakia

Denmark

Horten

Greece

Kyriakides Georgopoulos

Poland

Modzelewska & Paśnik

Romania

Mușat & Asociații

Italy

Pavia e Ansaldo

Spain

Pérez-Llorca

Luxembourg

Philippe & partners

Hungary

SBGK

Slovenia

Šelih & partnerji

Portugal

SRS

Estonia

TGS Baltic Estonia

Latvia

TGS Baltic Latvia

Lithuania

TGS Baltic Lithuania

France

Vertice

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