CO-ORDINATED EFFECTS OF VERTICAL CONCENTRATIONS IN EUROPEAN UNION LAW

Abstract

In this article the author focuses on the coordinated effects of vertical concentrations, because vertical concentrations can be anticompetitive if they result in either foreclosure or enhanced coordination. The author points out that some vertical concentrations might facilitate upstream collusion among producers when selling to downstream firms, and gives short review of the economics of such effects. Therefore, the article reviews some of the provisions of the EU law concerning the coordinated effects of vertical concentrations and provides conditions under which vertical integration facilitates collusion between undertakings.