Competition and Antitrust

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We provide comprehensive advice in all areas of Austrian and European competition law.

We represent domestic and foreign companies in proceedings before the Austrian Antitrust Court, the Federal Competition Authority and European institutions. Our advice focuses on merger control, abuse of a dominant market position and general compliance-related advice, including bespoke training of clients’ staff and devising compliant distribution systems.

We have industry-specific expertise, in particular pertaining to the construction, timber and sawmill sectors, life sciences, media, banking, food & beverages, transport and sustainable energies.

Our recent cases included antitrust advice on the acquisition of a majority stake in the publishing group “News” from German media conglomerate Gruner + Jahr; representation of a major market player in proceedings on prohibited agreements in road construction; representation of companies in the timber and sawmill industry on prohibited price agreements; and representation of regional banks in proceedings concerning abuse of a dominant market position.

We have also represented in merger proceedings on the acquisition of a manufacturer of solar panels and the mineral water brand “Römerquelle”, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola. In the area of antitrust damages claims, we have represented plaintiffs against the “elevator cartel” of major elevator manufacturers.

Apart from litigating cases, we review contracts and distribution structures for compliance with Austrian and European antitrust law and advise our clients on the development and implementation of compliance programmes.

Contact

Ferdinand Graf
LL.M. (NYU) | Dr.iur. (University of Vienna) | Partner
T:+43 1 401 17 - 0
image expand Areas of expertise
  • Merger control – national and European
  • Cartels / antitrust proceedings, Dawn Raids and Internal Audits
  • Abuse of market dominance proceedings
  • Structuring of Distribution systems
  • Cooperation agreements between companies
  • Compliance programs  / development and implementation of compliance programs for clients, including employee training workshops

News

Uphill Struggle

The private enforcement of antitrust law is a hot topic in the ongoing competition law discussions in Austria and Europe.

Read more »

Publications

Contact

Ferdinand Graf
LL.M. (NYU) | Dr.iur. (University of Vienna) | Partner
T:+43 1 401 17 - 0
image expand Areas of expertise
  • Merger control – national and European
  • Cartels / antitrust proceedings, Dawn Raids and Internal Audits
  • Abuse of market dominance proceedings
  • Structuring of Distribution systems
  • Cooperation agreements between companies
  • Compliance programs  / development and implementation of compliance programs for clients, including employee training workshops