commiss decis novemb relat proceed pursuant articl ec treati articl eea agreement case comp methylglucamin notifi document number german french text authent text eea relev ec content gt tabl gt summari addresse decis address undertak rhône poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa merck kgaa articl infring articl ec treati articl eea agreement prohibit agreement undertak decis associ undertak concert practic affect trade member state contract parti eea agreement object effect prevent restrict distort competit common market territori cover eea agreement relev product methylglucamin pharmaceut qualiti intermedi chemic product synthesi rai media pharmaceut colour commun market approxim eur million annual specif infring begin novemb continu decemb main produc methylglucamin form clandestin cartel contrari articl treati articl eea cover commun eea fix market share product agre price target product agre price list product agre share largest custom durat particip merck kgaa novemb decemb rhône poulenc biochimi sa novemb decemb aventi pharma sa novemb decemb commiss european commun regard treati establish european commun regard agreement european econom area regard council regul februari regul implement articl treati amend regul ec articl thereof regard commiss decis octob decemb open proceed case undertak concern opportun make view object rais commiss pursuant articl regul commiss regul ec decemb hear parti proceed articl ec treati consult advisori committe restrict practic domin posit regard report hear offic case part fact methylglucamin industri product methylglucamin mg design quot meglumin quot intermedi chemic product synthesi rai media pharmaceut color product contrari capac produc mg determin configur product facil mg deliv crystallin form produc rai media combin substanc chemic agent combin substanc primarili demand hospit inject rai patient function mg consist prevent expuls rai media quickli bodi mg matur product market long time methylglucamin market stabl region displai declin demand product disappear market medium term cheaper product confirm parti materi time period consid decis substitut methylglucamin rai applic high qualiti methylglucamin refer pharmaceut grade methylglucamin applic conclud relev product market pharmaceut grade methylglucamin decis cover pharmaceut grade methylglucamin applic outlin paragraph chines produc produc type lower qualiti methylglucamin context watertreat term methylglucamin mg decis mg pharmaceut qualiti refer market methylglucamin suppli shown relev product market characteris market pharmaceut grade methylglucamin refer methylglucamin grade substitut demand point view grade market worldwid dimens world market methylglucamin estim tonn worth eur million eur million commun basi sale data provid parti merck share world market respect share eea measur volum estim share aventi world market respect share eea basi measur merck share world market respect share commun estim share aventi world market eea market respons statement object merck argu market share assess averag year figur adequ reflect parti posit durat cartel commiss look matter respons statement object merck overestim methylglucamin sale aventi averag market share period significantli market share merck argu written answer statement object oral present deliveri custom includ calcul merck market share captiv custom merck supplier suppli request qualiti product argument reject aventi made clear oral hear suppli custom qualiti wise merck ultim admit absenc anti competit agreement parti aventi mean incent interest activ compet custom suppli produc mg multin corpor consider turnov busi essenti global worldwid market duopoli produc mg situat commun year pharmaceut grade mg produc worldwid locat situat commun produc mg similar size term product capac merck product capac tonn darmstadt plant larg capac aventi elbeuf plant volum methylglucamin sold aventi vari lot year year highest amount sold tonn sale recent year consider lower worldwid product capac methylglucamin estim tonn year demand custom methylglucamin produc rai media combin substanc chemic agent combin substanc primarili demand hospit lead purchas methylglucamin includ custom germani custom franc custom custom unit state america custom custom produc methylglucamin section trade member state methylglucamin produc member state market world merck sold methylglucamin member state aventi sold methylglucamin member state sale efta countri small commiss awar norwegian compani made modest purchas rhône poulenc produc rhône poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa rhône poulenc biochimi rpb headquart antoni pari rpb fulli own subsidiari aventi pharma fulli own subsidiari aventi sa rpb total turnov eur million respons statement object aventi state quot infring commit rpb affili compani activ cover statement object relat exclus rpb quot basi statement commiss accept entir product methylglucamin aventi place rpb aventi pharma sa headquart antoni pari compani focus discoveri develop manufactur sale pharmaceut product aventi pharma fulli own subsidiari aventi sa total turnov eur billion aventi sa headquart strasbourg franc intern compani involv research develop product market organ inorgan intermedi chemic special chemic fibr plastic pharmaceut agricultur chemic core busi pharmaceut plant anim health special chemic total turnov compani eur billion rhône poulenc hoechst ag german chemic produc announc agreement plan merg life scienc activ entiti quot aventi quot own parent compani divest chemic oper year period complet merger announc decemb merger aventi increasingli focus pharmaceut activit part busi sold import sale aventi crop scienc bayer procedur aventi pharma handl contact commiss behalf aventi pharma sa rhône poulenc biochimi sa quot aventi quot refer decis understood aventi pharma act behalf rpb merck merck kgaa headquart darmstadt germani pharmaceut health product manufactur establish oper subsidiari merck ohg gener partnership date merck total turnov eur million methylglucamin produc divis quot cosmet health nutrit quot compani produc aventi merck produc methylglucamin world chines low cost produc enter market produc concentr market altern methylglucamin lower pharma grade requir inform chines produc made inroad market pharmaceut grade methylglucamin contrast agent rai medic applic relev product purpos decis procedur investig commun septemb repres merck visit commiss meet compani express cooper commiss pursuant commiss notic imposit reduct fine cartel case lenienc notic gave oral descript cartel activ involv commiss receiv detail written account octob januari commiss undertook verif pursuant articl regul premis aventi romainvil octob commiss request inform pursuant articl regul aventi dai request addit inform merck final respons letter receiv merck late januari aventi earli februari june commiss initi proceed present case adopt statement object addresse statement object address rhône poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa merck kgaa respons statement object receiv addresse septemb oral hear held octob parti opportun heard investig proceed jurisdict canadian author investig cartel case commun merck cooper author cartel documentari evid decis base documentari evid provid merck documentari evid found inspect premis aventi answer commiss request inform fact set section primarili base evid merck statement date octob oral statement septemb document seiz commiss inspect premis aventi januari repli merck request inform commiss date decemb januari repli aventi request inform commiss date decemb februari repli merck commiss statement object date septemb repli aventi commiss statement object date septemb summari infring object commiss cartel produc methylglucamin merck aventi exist novemb decemb aim pursu elimin competit worldwid methylglucamin market obtain mean market share agreement fix price compani offici respons distribut market methylglucamin part merck aventi met annual share sale data turnov figur previou year annual meet price increas typic negoti agre increas agre percentag point list price methylglucamin appli europ smaller custom meet inform specif custom exchang step ensur custom chang supplier cartel includ market share agreement cartel member held regular annual meet autumn period meet identifi repres compani cartel meet individu merck merck employe merck employe aventi aventi employe aventi employe background initi contact prior merck rpb produc pharmaceut grade methylglucamin market custom usa stop product mid custom stop produc methylglucamin compani kei custom methylglucamin aventi good longstand relationship produc methylglucamin produc ran deliveri difficulti purchas product competitor favour rate back predecessor merck employe senior posit merck recal meet rhône poulenc purchas favor term deliveri problem merck kollegenlieferung rpb bought methylglucamin custom merck bought rpb merck employe recal occas rpb bought methylglucamin merck aventi state quot clear compani sooner exit market bui intern meglumin methylglucamin remain produc favour term quot respons statement object merck express understand confirm part reject propos rhône poulenc aventi ceas product purchas methylglucamin aventi merck import client custom ag gener prepar accept methylglucamin aventi qualiti final due merck expertis produc special chemic merck produc methylglucamin low cost make sens merck ceas product custom stop product start bui methylglucamin merck special term quot produc quot merck explain context quot produc compani produc specif product cost link product product compani bui product colleagu compani due special knowledg obtain product price close product cost produc price quot time clear merck rpb produc left contact merck rpb start increas initi contact focus inform exchang inform merck employe state introduc late clear time repres merck rhône poulenc meet discuss purchas product merck rp meet repres respons methylglucamin met statement employe merck substanti rumour arrang methylglucamin circul merck consider time merck employe state interview octob quot work directli mg begin year knew contact rp product contact public secret distribut depart merck heard contact year ago time author note spartenorganis introduc merck author note relationship rp mg refer price market share quot interview januari merck employe ask elabor receiv inform quot recal receiv knowledg believ earli mid inform reliabl sourc recal custom complain receiv ident answer merck rhône poulenc ask price mg longer recal exact date statement quot interview held januari merck employe made statement quot return abroad darmstadt heard mg agreement visit darmstadt time live abroad memori time interview year cartel exist year home visit heard rumour mg understand price time impress clean busi hear share custom merck rhône poulenc quot merck state respons distribut market methylglucamin met repres rhône poulenc rp share sale data turnov figur previou year meet confirm merck employe documentari evid found aventi confirm meet confirm purpos respons statement object merck confirm meet link methylglucamin merck believ start point methylglucamin cartel rp persuad merck occas ceas product methylglucamin purchas product rp favor rate merck reject rp propos close product cartel altern solut ensur stabl price market share merck employe meet place unknown date particip merck employe merck employe merck aventi employe rp appar person rp present person aventi employe merck employe introduc merck employe repres merck respons methylglucamin merck employe confirm meet place pari headquart rp believ product includ methylglucamin discuss meet meet end begin meet place merck employe merck employe merck met aventi employe aventi employe rp invit rp pari restaur dinner topic discuss busi relat repres merck suspect invit rp relat propos rp merck ceas product methylglucamin purchas product aventi favour rate respons statement object aventi argu methylglucamin legitim contact relat occasion product shortag place compani prior statement merck employe merck employe provid proof illegitim contact prior reliabl rumour heard merck employe merck employe highli question version event prior exist commiss possess suffici document prove version correct purpos decis infring consid start begin structur cartel meet novemb antoni pari meet autumn mark clear chang develop contact merck rp methylglucamin formal structur arrang clear agreement price market share alloc confirm corrobor statement aventi merck section autumn meet merck employe merck aventi employe rp aventi meet compani offici posit inform merck employe merck employe septemb document seiz aventi aventi employe appoint posit rhône poulenc biochimi januari agreement parti merck employe aventi employe respons develop modal cartel merck employe state quot merck employe introduc aventi employe actual agreement rhône poulenc develop merck employe aventi employe quot aventi state quot appear prior meglumin methylglucamin relat matter discuss meet held merck premis focus product sale situat evolv begin yearli meet held aventi employe counterpart merck merck employe discuss meglumin relat matter quot fact meet place disput confirm merck employe aventi employe present meet aventi state quot base interview conduct employe respond yearli meet pertain meglumin held germani aventi employe senior posit rpb counterpart merck merck employe successor merck employe meet held end year meet held merck employe merck premis darmstadt quot merck disput meet place claim aventi confus meet meet relat product meet place aventi premis antoni pari respons statement object merck state quot true yearli meet relat product held merck premis member merck central purchas divis held intens talk aventi employe order set condit sale product merck meet relat product held merck premis meet concern purchas merck rhône poulenc merck distribut market divis gener involv contrast meet relat methylglucamin held novemb aventi employe merck employe recent appoint senior posit aventi premis pari antoni meet aventi employe invit merck employe restaur champ elyse quot disagr place meet clear parti agre meet cartel place autumn base precis inform merck conclud meet cartel place novemb content meet subsequ meet section structur content collus arrang exchang inform parti agre meet start exchang inform view worldwid demand product refer volum sold respect main client previou year merck state quot respons distribut market mg part merck aventi met annual share sale data turnov figur previou year end prior meet merck repres obtain print out intern merck sale statist show result previou year refer respect countri custom volum sale figur quot aventi state quot meet last half hour compani begin exchang view gener declin worldwid demand product refer volum sold respect main client preced year quot aventi argu respons statement object exchang sale inform meet limit state quot statement object assert rpb merck routin exchang sale data contradict statement object conclud rpb merck produc inaccur assess posit meglumin market merck mistakenli believ produc market share statement object file demonstr merck higher market share rpb merck world market eea market turn rpb underestim worldwid meglumin market approxim tonn year client rest intern merck custom quot quot inaccur market assess demonstr inform oral exchang sale figur occur produc exchang document sort statement object state merck rpb met share sale data turnov figur previou year emphasis full systemat exchang sale data interview merck employe merck employe rpb merck exchang turnov figur contrari merck statement parti merck realis market share exceed rpb quot commiss accept oral exchang sale figur occur materialis full systemat exchang sale data agreement price annual price increas merck aventi agre import element annual meet agre price increas year merck state quot price increas come year typic negoti agre increas agre percentag point list price mg establish anew annual appli europ smaller custom share approxim turnov individu negoti price applic larger custom kei account consequ list price merck aventi insubstanti deviat effect quot aventi state quot discuss follow price parti intent increas price extent parti propos signific price increas understood product manufactur support gradual slight increas quot respons statement object aventi state quot note rpb repli februari price discuss annual meet rpb merck particip discuss increas list price agreement minimum percentag increas merck rpb discuss price respect individu custom merck employe confirm interview septemb quot commiss accept aventi claim quot list price quot annual price increas percentag discuss meet market share custom alloc parti agre arrang includ market share agreement statement differ descript agreement merck state quot end contact merck aventi respect mg primari goal maintain statu quo respect market share compani worldwid mg market increas price mg addit goal strive prevent switch respect custom supplier quot sentenc merck state quot prevent switch agre parti respond price queri custom quot list price quot account annual meet merck employe state quot agre merck rp case request custom parti offer list price big custom list price higher level price big custom assur big custom stai current supplier subject discuss detail meet autumn quot account meet merck employe state quot particip discuss custom stai supplier past year determin case quot aventi state quot meet recal held aventi employe merck employe enter agreement volum suppli custom rpb main european client agreement custom yearli meglumin suppli rpb minimum tonn request custom merck suppli custom remain word rpb suppli custom year minimum tonn meglumin agreement last agreement occur time custom start complain make reserv qualiti packag rpb meglumin risk custom bui annual merck custom institut rpb client year import rpb secur suppli tonn meglumin year quot respons commiss articl letter aventi state quot meet alloc quantiti respect meglumin custom kind territori alloc fix except custom agreement quot pressur rp market share agreement custom deduc note aventi employe rhône poulenc rorer recit arrang custom confirm intern merck mail exchang octob recit respons statement object merck argu aventi statement territori alloc meet limit custom agreement incorrect merck state quot contrast characteris aventi content market share agreement limit custom agreement relat worldwid methylglucamin market intent cartel attack agreement agreement maintain distribut sale current level maintain divis market exist merck inform time quot refer aventi descript custom agreement merck state quot explan agreement aventi consist merck explan cartel aim parti keep major custom agreement custom simpli specif broader aim quot respons statement object aventi state quot market share achiev custom alloc prevent disrupt price war meglumin market agreement rpb merck sought maintain stabl market crux agreement concern custom alloc respect produc main custom endeavour compet respect major custom market quota fix evidenc fact merck wrongli believ rpb market share quot aventi statement respons statement object contradict earlier statement alloc fix custom agreement confirm merck version event commiss consid establish parti agre share market custom alloc conclus structur content collus agreement structur content collus arrang meet start inform exchang inform state market parti provid limit concret sale inform parti agre percentag price increas come year parti fix quot list price quot come year parti agre compet parti custom quot custom agreement quot integr part arrang work develop collus arrang parti agre annual meet place year addit merck claim annual meet place merck state quot respons distribut market mg part merck aventi met annual share sale data turnov figur previou year quot merck explain meet place aventi state quot base interview conduct employe respond yearli meet pertain meglumin held germani aventi employe counterpart merck merck employe successor merck employe meet held end year meet held merck employe merck premis darmstadt meet held merck premis inform dinner restaur frankfurt pari held septemb octob quot compani acknowledg basic cartel function develop annual meet compani statement documentari evid allow cartel meet identifi annual meet novemb antoni pari section annual meet annual meet septemb octob annual meet octob pari octob frankfurt annual meet octob frankfurt annual meet octob frankfurt introduct merck employe juli novotel la defens pari annual meet octob hotel intercontinent frankfurt annual meet octob novotel la defens pari annual meet octob frankfurt final meet novemb frankfurt annual meet novemb decemb parti confirm meet recit intern rp note aventi employe rhône poulenc rorer novemb copi aventi employe complain custom order kg methylglucamin usual amount tonn end note write quot situat unaccept trust suppli argument possibl recov volum past quot aventi state market share agreement custom made note aventi employe confirm market share agreement date back annual cartel meet place novemb decemb annual meet septemb octob parti confirm meet recit rp issu price list methylglucamin novemb line behaviour document cartel meet strongli meet place septemb octob annual meet pari octob frankfurt octob parti confirm meet recit travel document merck employe show pari octob confer cartel meet place occas travel document aventi employe show frankfurt octob meet merck meet place occas addit meet agre price quota rp price list issu novemb fulli consist meet date earli octob annual meet octob frankfurt parti confirm meet recit merck employe put claim expens connect car journei frankfurt octob respons statement object merck confirm meet place octob frankfurt rp issu price list novemb fulli line meet mid octob onward compar quot list price quot methylglucamin merck quot list price quot eur kg deliveri tonn price aventi eur kg annual meet octob frankfurt parti confirm meet recit commiss possess claim expens merck employe dinner held even octob bill restaur casa nova frankfurt name merck employe aventi employe aventi employe written rp issu price list novemb merck issu price list dai time coordin announc strong addit indic cartel meet import determin price merck quot list price quot eur kg deliveri tonn price aventi eur kg introduct merck employe juli novotel la defens pari merck employe meet place pari juli particip merck employe merck employe merck aventi employe aventi employe rp occas meet introduct merck employe responsibil merck market methylglucamin merck employe discuss price similar talk held meet particip agre touch year meet confirm travel expens claim merck employe merck employe merck believ meet place novotel la defens men stai respons statement object aventi argu discuss price similar talk held meet includ list cartel meet specif discuss price market share place meet plai role run cartel purpos meet introduc merck employe cartel contact point merck particip meet cartel meet introduct procedur merck employe merck employe particip agre touch year moment merck employe attend cartel meet reason meet figur list cartel meet annual meet octob hotel intercontinent frankfurt parti confirm annual meet place recit merck employe replac merck employe annual meet detail account annual meet summari account autumn merck employe receiv telephon call aventi suggest meet hotel intercontinent frankfurt prepar meet merck employe print octob market statist methylglucamin period januari septemb aventi employe aventi employe merck employe particip meet met hotel room rent aventi particip agre price increas aim particip proceed basi list price rais margin price increas aim larger custom accept list price addit agre merck aventi offer list price relat queri custom compani larger custom octob meet merck employe inform sale depart merck darmstadt price merck pricelist date octob commiss rp price list merck quot list price quot eur kg deliveri tonn price aventi eur kg annual meet octob novotel la defens pari parti confirm meet recit summari merck employe account meet meet place octob aventi employe telephon merck employe arrang meet particip year merck employe ask print sale statist methylglucamin particip establish previou year custom remain tradit supplier agre list price increas attempt made increas price largest custom usual inform pass merck employe employe respons employe sale depart compani merck group merck employe recal meet place margin pharmaceut ingredi confer cphi frankfurt recollect mistaken travel document merck employe reason journei pari cite quot meet rhone quot meet fact place pari novotel la defens stai respons statement object aventi argu assum meet place pari merck employe contact repres rpb contrari commiss fail relationship issu see reason question merck employe statement contact aventi employe basi mistaken venu meet merck issu price list octob rp price list date decemb merck quot list price quot eur kg deliveri tonn price aventi eur kg annual meet octob frankfurt parti confirm meet recit summari merck employe account meet meet place london frankfurt autumn aventi employe telephon merck employe arrang meet particip previou year prepar meet merck employe print statist methylglucamin octob price discuss meet octob merck employe inform sale depart compani merck group price aventi confirm explicitli meet place septemb octob aventi claim meet cartel travel document aventi employe show frankfurt octob programm includ meet merck fit inform merck employe merck pricelist date octob rp pricelist date decemb merck quot list price quot eur kg deliveri tonn price aventi eur kg end cartel compani differ consider descript cartel end merck employe meet cartel place hotel intercontinent frankfurt autumn summari account meet repres merck aventi particip meet previou meet price increas agre addit meet repres aventi mention merck employe aventi deliv significantli larger quantiti custom aventi wish aros background loss deliveri approxim tonn aventi quot price worldwid french franc merck fix price europ german mark rest world dollar result merck expens merck employe explain merck reduc price intend compens currenc fluctuat manner futur repres aventi agre action merck employe issu particip meet react case investig methylglucamin meet author discuss agre particip offici question contact admit occasion coincident contact common competitor fair merck employe impress aventi employe knew agreement vitamin sector posit aventi employe merger rp hoechst discuss merck price announc merck employe octob octob merck employe instruct merck employe mail announc price increas brazil mention aventi version event differ consider merck aventi formal meet cartel place septemb octob meet place parti novemb aventi inform merck termin agreement respons statement object aventi make statement quot contrari assert statement object aventi disput meet place rpb disput meet place time disput cartel meet place rpb repli februari state meet parti discuss price custom further agreement place autumn novemb meet place aventi employe aventi employe merck employe attend confer pharmaceut ingredi cphi frankfurt cphi aventi employe inform merck termin meglumin agreement quot quot aventi employe address issu merck employe prompt aventi employe decis termin agreement merck issu concern aventi employe posit merger rhône poulenc sa hoechst ag aventi employe explain merck employe sale depart rpb hoechst marion roussel sa subsidiari hoechst ag merg leadership aventi employe counterpart hoechst marion roussel aventi employe explain longer final author price product includ meglumin commit understand meglumin result quot quot issu concern investig vitamin sector common knowledg parti novemb meet govern author investig alleg anti competit behaviour respect vitamin time meet particip discuss react event govern author investig sale activ respect meglumin aventi employe reason discuss meglumin low volum unprofit product parti anticip investig activ aventi employe assum govern author conduct investig sale meglumin truth light sourc quot implic merck version event price agre autumn meet contact undertaken particip infring end meet merck commiss septemb implic aventi version event infring end decemb dai price agre meet applic travel document seiz offic aventi employe show frankfurt septemb meet merck date cartel meet tie merck announc date price recit confirm merck version event respons statement object merck explan make statement quot aventi employe frankfurt septemb product custom meet merck discuss meglumin assum statement object aventi employe attend meet aventi employe attend meet profession capac quot intern merck mail exchang octob demonstr valid merck version event octob inform price merck employe mail merck employe decreas price custom target year increas price market share mail forward merck employe merck employe ask price reduct answer merck employe date octob merck employe made comment quot intent addit market share current market share higher price custom price custom ff inform merck employe problem call quot forc statement merck employe cartel market share agreement custom mention aventi forc time respons statement object aventi argu quot legitim busi strategi exist cartel easili motiv decis increas price market share quot case merck mail exchang strictli speak contradict aventi version event aventi earli novemb aventi inform merck termin agreement merck quot list price quot eur kg deliveri tonn price aventi eur kg differ quot list price quot consider larger previou year commiss possess hard evid make decid version event correct purpos decis time period basi assess fine end decemb dai valid price agre cartel meet parti credit initi end infring part ii legal assess jurisdict arrang appli world market territori eea cartel member sale worldwid major member state efta countri parti eea agreement eea agreement provis analog treati decis includ applic eea competit rule januari date agreement forc arrang appreci affect competit trade eu member state articl treati applic cartel oper appreci effect trade efta countri parti eea agreement commun articl eea agreement applic pursuant articl eea agreement commiss compet author infring articl eea agreement infring appreci affect trade member state appli present case applic articl treati articl eea agreement articl treati articl eea agreement articl treati articl eea agreement prohibit incompat common market function eea agreement agreement undertak decis associ undertak concert practic affect trade member state contract parti object effect prevent restrict distort competit common market territori cover eea agreement directli indirectli fix purchas sell price trade condit limit control product market share market sourc suppli agreement concert practic articl treati eea agreement prohibit agreement decis associ concert practic agreement exist parti adher common plan limit limit individu commerci conduct determin line mutual action abstent action market made write formal contractu sanction enforc measur requir fact agreement express implicit behavior parti judgment join case limburgs vinyl maatschappij nv commiss pvc ii court instanc european commun state quot establish case law agreement mean articl treati suffici undertak express joint intent behav market quot agreement purpos articl treati articl eea agreement requir certainti enforc commerci contract civil law case law depriv undertak adapt intellig exist anticip conduct competitor strictli preclud direct indirect contact oper object effect influenc conduct market actual potenti competitor disclos competitor conduct decid adopt contempl adopt market conduct fall articl treati articl eea agreement quot concert practic quot parti subscrib common plan defin action market adopt adher collus devic facilit coordin commerci behaviour commiss requir characteris infring exclus agreement concert practic concept fluid overlap artifici analyt subdivid continu common enterpris object discret form infring cartel agreement concert practic time singl continu infring novemb end decemb ampl evid show exist singl continu collus world market methylglucamin merck aventi account close market parti design adher common global plan limit individu commerci conduct virtual area compet agreement enter global plan view restrict competit date back novemb collus pursuit singl anti competit econom aim prevent price competit agre paramet competit market methylglucamin merck aventi subscrib plan develop implement period year complex collus arrang specif agreement concert practic complement basic agreement price fix market share alloc individu custom pursu common purpos elimin competit particip unlaw conduct knew part plan pursuit common unlaw object common design common object elimin competit eea market methylglucamin commiss consid complex collus arrang arrang mention object restrict competit mean articl treati articl eea agreement arrang detail factual part present decis conduct question constitut singl continu infring articl treati articl eea agreement restrict competit agreement present case object effect restrict competit articl treati articl eea agreement expressli mention restrict competit agreement inter alia directli indirectli fix sell price trade condit limit control product market technic develop share market essenti characterist horizont arrang consider case price main instrument competit collus arrang mechan adopt produc ultim aim fix price remov competit price market share price fix natur restrict competit mean articl treati articl eea agreement order conclud articl treati eea agreement appli actual effect competit agreement establish agreement object restrict competit effect competit cartel consid light total circumst complex agreement arrang element identifi relev order find breach articl treati articl eea agreement exchang price custom relat sensit inform recit market share alloc custom recit agre concert price price increas recit adapt individu conduct price order ensur mainten agre market share recit particip regular meet contact order agre restrict implement modifi requir recit effect trade member state eea contract parti articl treati prohibit agreement affect trade member state object effect prevent restrict distort competit common market articl eea agreement prohibit agreement affect trade eea state object effect prevent restrict distort competit territori cover eea agreement merck aventi commun eea market methylglucamin merck aventi export repres larg major incom methylglucamin period consid continu cartel agreement produc methylglucamin appreci effect trade member state eea level sale low agreement appreci effect directli parti direct sale norwai indirectli price end product affect exist cartel eea rest relev geograph market respons statement object aventi question correct cartel cover larg major eea agreement appreci effect efta document provid merck rpb produc sold member state efta countri countri constitut quot larg major eea quot opinion question argument reject produc sell directli countri eea agreement indirect effect countri bui methylglucamin directli includ largest popul member state eea merck aventi control world market methylglucamin fact methylglucamin export directli efta countri reflect countri produc product methylglucamin doubt efta countri consider import product indirect effect consider provis competit rule applic austria finland norwai sweden eea agreement enter forc januari period prior date cartel oper provis applic present proceed articl treati cartel arrang period restrict competit austria finland iceland liechtenstein norwai sweden efta member state caught provis period januari decemb provis eea agreement appli efta member state cartel constitut violat articl eea agreement articl treati commiss compet appli provis restrict competit efta state year period fall articl eea agreement access austria finland sweden commun januari articl treati applic cartel affect competit market oper cartel norwai remain violat articl eea agreement practic cartel oper austria finland norwai sweden constitut violat eea commun competit rule januari durat infring commiss inform parti design adher common agreement view restrict competit meet held novemb recit commun purpos decis infring establish effect meet novemb efta infring start entri forc eea agreement januari explain recit commiss hard evid determin conflict view exact finish date cartel correct price agre mutual recognis cartel meet valid decemb reason purpos decis end infring decemb purpos present proceed establish produc commit infring articl treati articl eea agreement novemb decemb liabil infring order identifi addresse decis determin legal entiti respons infring imput principl applic subject articl treati articl eea agreement quot undertak quot concept ident notion corpor legal person nation commerci compani fiscal law term quot undertak quot defin treati eea agreement refer entiti engag commerci activ context larg corpor group group individu subgroup subsidiari compani treat quot undertak quot purpos articl treati articl eea agreement order determin parent compani held respons unlaw conduct subsidiari establish subsidiari quot decid independ conduct market carri materi respect instruct parent compani quot infring articl treati articl eea agreement found commit identifi natur legal person respons oper undertak time infring commit undertak commit infring articl treati articl eea agreement dispos asset vehicl infring withdraw market concern undertak question held respons infring exist undertak acquir asset carri violat articl treati articl eea agreement liabil infring apport seller acquir infring asset addresse entir period refer establish infring merck kgaa particip directli cartel addresse decis rhône poulenc biochimi rpb produc methylglucamin directli part infring repres meet origin anticompetit agreement agre subsequ meet respons statement object aventi state quot infring commit rpb affili compani activ cover statement object relat exclus rpb quot addresse decis statement object commiss includ aventi pharma sa addresse state reason decis quot notabl correspond parti commiss show defenc rpb effect handl aventi pharma correspond lawyer copi aventi employe aventi employe connect show aventi pharma exercis effect influenc rpb quot quot rpb belong aventi pharma previous rp rorer belong aventi sa dai dai decis methylglucamin commerci director rpb aventi employe note aventi employe rp rorer novemb show rp rorer aventi pharma commerci behaviour rpb close monitor point rp rorer repres gave instruct vi vi client repres rpb aventi claim aventi employe work direct aventi employe remain explain note novemb written rp rorer paper basi commiss decid address statement object aventi pharma sa quot respons statement object aventi argu rpb held respons infring argument support claim statement cite recit aventi attempt explain circumst aventi employe wrote note novemb address influenc aventi pharma decis make rhône poulenc biochimi respons statement object aventi address commiss argument brought forward statement object aventi pharma sa addresse decis consid jointli sever liabl fine impos basi consider set decis address undertak merck kgaa rhône poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa remedi articl council regul commiss find infring articl treati articl eea agreement requir undertak concern bring infring end accord articl council regul undertak decis address requir bring infring end henceforth refrain agreement concert practic similar object effect includ exchang commerci inform particip directli indirectli inform mutual individu sale data articl regul pursuant articl regul commiss decis impos undertak fine eur eur million sum excess thereof exceed turnov preced busi year undertak particip infring intention neglig infring articl treati articl eea agreement commiss intend impos fine case abovement infring undertak decis address set amount fine commiss regard relev circumst graviti durat infring assess graviti infring commiss account natur actual impact market measur size relev geograph market role plai undertak parti infring assess individu basi relat undertak commiss reflect fine impos aggrav mitig circumst appli lenienc notic assess made end decis fine set level ensur suffici deterr amount fine cartel constitut deliber infring articl treati eea agreement full knowledg restrict charact action illeg produc methylglucamin combin set secret continu system design restrict competit basic amount basic amount fine determin graviti durat infring graviti assess graviti infring commiss take account natur actual impact market measur size relev geograph market natur infring present infring consist market share price fix practic natur worst kind violat articl treati eea agreement natur implement cartel agreement type lead automat import distort competit exclus benefit produc particip cartel detriment custom ultim gener public commiss consid present infring constitut infring articl treati articl eea agreement actual impact infring methylglucamin market eea infring commit undertak durat cartel cover entir world market methylglucamin arrang specif aim rais price higher arrang implement actual impact market quantifi detail extent price differ appli absenc arrang measur reliabl manner number extern factor simultan affect price develop product make extrem difficult draw conclus rel import causal effect respons statement object aventi argu infring effect price paid final custom contrast product cost methylglucamin small part total cost aventi analys cost structur product highest share methylglucamin retail price commiss reject argument relev issu hand share total price end product methylglucamin make irrelev impact infring size relev geograph market part common market eea influenc cartel directli indirectli purpos calcul graviti commiss consid entireti commun creation eea affect cartel conclus graviti infring take account natur behaviour scrutini actual impact methylglucamin market fact influenc common market creation eea commiss consid undertak concern decis commit infring articl treati eea agreement prejudic natur infring commiss case consider limit size product market term classif cartel particip categori infring propos scale fine make appli differenti treatment undertak order account effect econom capac offend signific damag competit set fine level ensur suffici deterr effect present case involv undertak definit indispens work cartel actor market question classifi cartel particip basi basic amount fine determin graviti merck kgaa eur million rhône poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa eur million suffici deterr order ensur fine suffici deterr effect take account fact larg undertak legal econom knowledg infrastructur enabl easili recognis conduct constitut infring awar consequ stem competit law commiss determin adjust start amount need undertak respons statement object aventi argu aventi cooper commiss previou case uncov cartel compani fine increas ensur suffici deterr effect aventi state quot emphasis rhône poulenc sa subsequ successor aventi sa affili undertook import intern investig potenti violat ec competit law respect recal disclos commiss largest cartel reveal vitamin methionin arrang spirit respond question employe goal shed light exist anti competit arrang quot commiss recognis aventi provid valuabl inform vitamin methionin case commiss subscrib principl compani cooper case receiv lower fine aventi reward cooper lenienc previou case reason lenienc extend case similarli effort aventi lead discoveri cartel compani aventi reward inform lenienc reason fine reduc aventi find inform cartel respons statement object merck point smaller compani aventi product capac methylglucamin smaller aventi commiss accept aventi larger compani merck purpos decis addresse aventi sa subsidiari aventi pharma sa rhône poulenc biochimi sa commiss note compani smaller merck recit commiss determin certainti parti largest product capac worth note eea merck larger sale methylglucamin aventi recent year recit merck total turnov eur million year turnov rpb eur million aventi pharma sa eur billion basi deterr requir start point fine determin recit increas eur million merck multipli factor appli aventi pharma rhône poulenc biochimi durat infring rhône poulenc biochimi merck kgaa infring articl treati novemb decemb articl eea agreement januari decemb conclud parti infring articl treati period nineyear articl eea agreement period year start amount fine increas conclus basic amount basic amount fine set merck kgaa eur million rhône poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa eur million aggrav circumst role leader infring respons statement object parti attempt demonstr act leader cartel indic file parti plai role ringlead commiss consid specif ringlead identifi attenu circumst respons statement object aventi argu depress state methylglucamin market attenu circumst commiss state methylglucamin market characteris market crisi market stagnat slowli declin gener stagnat declin state market constitut attenu circumst fix fine respons statement object aventi argu fact termin infring prior commiss inspect rpb premis januari attenu circumst commiss note firstli principl earli termin account attenu circumst cartel case repres hard core infring continu intervent commiss aggrav circumst make sens speak earli termin past infring last year termin reason thirdli discuss recit commiss unabl basi evid submit determin infring termin result aventi rpb initi novemb result meet commiss servic merck septemb simpl fact infring termin prior commiss inspect rpb premis attenu circumst respons statement object aventi point initi extens complianc programm result disclosur agreement mistak methylglucamin agreement identifi disclos commiss commiss welcom fact aventi set antitrust law complianc polici consid initi prevent tool dispens commiss duti sanction infring competit rule commiss adopt complianc programm aventi mitig circumst justifi reduct fine conclud mitig circumst applic particip present infring affect methylglucamin market applic lenienc notic degre adresse decis cooper commiss stage investig infring purpos receiv favour treatment set lenienc notic order meet legitim expect undertak concern imposit reduct fine basi cooper section examin parti concern satisfi condit set notic imposit fine substanti reduct amount quot section quot merck submit meet condit set lenienc notic order obtain exempt fine impos merck argu base legal principl commun member state law technic notic appli benefit lenienc notic lenient merck point met compet commiss offici septemb express cooper commiss merck gave oral descript cartel activ commiss detail written account octob merck compani submit evid enabl commiss adopt decis carri investig merck point cooper fulli continu basi expediti commiss administr procedur provid commiss evid possess merck point end involv latest time submit evid commiss step coerc rpb particip infring applic lenienc regim commiss state paragraph commiss notic immun fine reduct fine cartel case quot februari notic replac notic case undertak contact commiss order advantag favour treatment set notic quot merck contact commiss case notic applic present case commiss accept merck undertak submit decis inform exist cartel affect eea methylglucamin industri inform provid meet septemb brussel merck commiss commiss carri investig premis rhône poulenc biochimi merck fulfil condit set section lenienc notic commiss note satisfi cooper offer merck commiss final note merck substanti contest fact commiss statement object merck grant reduct fine impos cooper commiss substanti reduct fine quot section quot aventi pharma rhône poulenc biochimi provid commiss decis inform methylglucamin cartel requir point section lenienc notic undertak meet condit set section signific reduct fine quot section quot aventi argu meet exce condit benefit signific reduct fine level cooper offer aventi make statement quot provid fullest cooper respons commiss articl request inform respond undertook substanti effort gather exist materi relat methylglucamin busi shed light exist anti competit agreement merck quot quot respond believ inform materi contribut establish exist infring file show merck rpb found written document evidenc agreement commiss reli sole acknowledg merck rpb particip agreement contrari articl ec treati rpb identifi convei inform agreement commiss left word compani evid clear statement object reli disclosur compani order establish exist infring quot aventi point substanti contest fact respons statement object commiss accept cooper aventi satisfactori procedur inform provid aventi confirm aspect infring commiss agre inform provid aventi essenti prove exist cartel case complic inform provid merck approv aventi commiss accept aventi substanti contest fact respons statement object commiss grant aventi pharma rhône poulenc biochimi reduct fine impos cooper commiss conclus applic lenienc notic conclus regard natur cooper light condit set lenienc notic adresse decis grant reduct respect fine rhône poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa reduct merck kgaa reduct final amount fine impos present proceed conclus fine impos pursuant articl regul rhône poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa eur million merck kgaa eur million adopt decis articl rhône poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa merck kgaa infring articl treati januari onward articl eea agreement particip continu agreement concert practic methylglucamin sector durat infring addresse novemb decemb articl undertak name articl immedi bring end infring refer articl refrain repeat act conduct refer articl act conduct equival object effect articl fine impos undertak name articl respect infring refer rhone poulenc biochimi sa aventi pharma sa jointli sever liabl fine eur million merck kgaa fine eur million articl fine paid month date notif decis bank account european commiss banco bilbao vizcaya argentaria bbva sa avenu de art kunstlaan bruxel brussel swift code bbvabebb iban code expiri period interest automat payabl interest rate appli european central bank main refinanc oper dai month decis adopt percentag point articl decis address rhône poulenc biochimi sa avenu raymond aron antoni cedex aventi pharma sa avenu raymond aron antoni cedex merck kgaa frankfurt straße darmstadt decis enforc pursuant articl treati brussel novemb commiss mario monti member commiss commiss estim base sale figur compani sale figur doc doc commiss file oj oj oj oj commiss estim base sale figur compani minor amount sold chines produc sale figur doc doc commiss estim base sale figur compani sale figur doc doc commiss estim base sale figur compani sale figur doc doc commiss estim base figur provid compani exact figur mention confidenti inform parti merck respons statement object pp paragraph doc doc doc aventi respons statement object page paragraph combin turnov rhône poulenc rorer hoechst marion roussel fax jone dai reavi amp pogu octob doc doc doc doc oj doc doc doc doc doc doc doc doc doc doc doc doc merck respons statement object pp paragraph doc quot produz ist ein unternehmen da ein bestimmt produkt herstellt und somit weiß mit welchen kosten die produkt dies produkt verbunden ist wenn da unternehmen im rahmen von kollegenlieferungen da produkt von einem wettbewerb bezieht hat es aufgrund sein sonderwissen ein besser verhandlungsposit und wird versuchen da produkt zu einem prei zu bekommen der nah wie möglich die kosten der eigenprodukt herankommt sog produzentenprei quot doc doc quot obwohl er bi anfang diesen jahr nicht direkt mit mg zu tun habe habe er von den kontakten mit rhône poulenc rp im hinblick auf dies produkt gewusst dies kontakt seien ein offen geheimni der vertriebsabteilung von merck gewesen er habe von diesen kontakten schon vor zehn bi zwanzig jahren gehört und zwar der zeit author note und bevor die spatenorganis bei merck eingeführt wurd author note die besonder beziehung zu rp hinsichtlich mg habe sich auf preis sowi marktanteil bezogen quot doc quot wann genau er dies kenntniss erhalten habe ließ sich nachhinein nicht mehr zuordnen er mein jedoch dass dies kenntni anfang bi mitt der er jahr da gewesen und au verlässlich quell gekommen sei erinnerung sei ihm geblieben dass ein kund für mg sich geäußert habe man erhalt zwei gleich antworten wenn man merck und rhône poulenc nach dem prei für mg frage wann genau dies äußerung gefallen sei wiss er jedoch nicht mehr quot doc quot merck employe erklärt er sei erst wieder au dem ausland nach darmstadt zurückgekommen er habe von den absprachen zu mg im rahmen von besuchen darmstadt während seiner auslandszeit gehört seiner erinnerung nach habe da kartel bei seiner ersten befragung im jahr etwa jahr bestanden bei einem seiner heimatbesuch habe er gerücht gehört dass es bei mg verständigungen über den prei gebe sein eindruck sei damal gewesen dass dies sach nicht sauber gewesen sei über ein möglich aufteilung von kunden zwischen merck und rhône poulenc habe er jedoch nicht gehört quot doc doc merck respons statement object septemb pp paragraph doc doc doc doc rpb respons statement object septemb pp paragraph doc doc doc quot merck employe habe ihn mit aventi employe bekannt gemacht die konkreten absprachen mit rhône poulenc habe merck employe jedoch erst zusammen mit aventi employe entwickelt quot doc doc doc divis dealt product methylglucamin merck respons statement object page paragraph doc doc aventi respons statement object pp paragraph doc doc aventi respons statement object page paragraph doc doc doc quot es war vereinbart dass merck bzw rp bei einer anfrag von kunden de anderen auch wenn di große kunden waren nur listenpreis anbieten sollt da dies listenpreis höher lagen al die preis für große abnehm war sichergestellt dass die großen kunden bei den jeweiligen herstellern verblieben über dies vorgehensweis wurd auf dem zweiten treffen im herbst ausführlich gesprochen quot doc quot die teilnehm besprachen ob auch im vergangenen jahr all kunden bei den jeweiligen unternehmen verblieben waren und stellten fest dass di der fall war quot doc doc merck respons statement object page paragraph merck respons statement object page paragraph aventi respons statement object page paragraph doc doc doc doc quot cett situat est inadmiss je compt sur vou pour fournir le argument qui permettront peut être de retrouv le volum nou avion par le passé quot doc doc doc doc doc doc doc merck respons statement object page paragraph doc quot list price quot account market methylglucamin sold larg custom special condit price compar fluctuat exchang rate deliveri condit pack doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc doc doc doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc doc doc doc aventi respons statement object pp paragraph doc doc doc doc doc doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc doc doc doc aventi respons statement object page paragraph doc doc doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc doc doc doc doc doc doc doc doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc doc doc doc doc aventi respons statement object pp paragraph doc aventi respons statement object page paragraph doc quot nein da ist nicht unserem sinn wir wollen keinen zusätzlichen marktanteil sondern unseren bestehenden ma mit einem höheren prei halten custom ist aber der prei für custom ist ff bitt teilen sie di merck employe mit fall er problem hat soll er mich anrufen quot aventi respons statement object page paragraph doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc eurostat averag exchang rate januari convers doc final act agreement european econom area oj case law court justic court instanc relat interpret articl ec appli equal articl eea ecr ii paragraph join case suiker uni commiss ecr judgment case commiss anic partecipazioni spa ecr paragraph judgment case hercul commiss ecr ii paragraph judgment ciment ii paragraph judgment case european night servic ecr ii paragraph court state specif relat price fix agreement aventi respons statement object pp paragraph issu addresse proceed separ question quot agreement quot compani group fall articl treati articl eea agreement case imperi chemic industri ecr paragraph case enichem anic spa commiss polypropylen ecr ii case commiss anic partecipazioni spa ecr paragraph commiss decis eec case iv pvc paragraph oj aventi respons statement object page paragraph page paragraph doc doc doc aventi respons statement object page paragraph aventi respons statement object pp paragraph aventi respons statement object pp paragraph commiss decis novemb case juli case merck respons statement object pp paragraph fax freshfield bruckhau dering octob doc fax jone dai reavi amp pogu octob aventi respons statement object pp paragraph aventi respons statement object page paragraph aventi respons statement object page paragraph merck respons statement object page paragraph merck respons statement object page paragraph merck respons statement object page paragraph merck respons statement object page paragraph oj aventi respons statement object page paragraph aventi respons statement object page paragraph aventi respons statement object pp paragraph