Overview
Simon Hirsbrunner was quoted by the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung in an article that observes the judgment of the European Court of Justice concerning a billion euro fine imposed on Intel by the European Commission. In the judgement, the Court of Justice decided to set aside the decision of the General Court of the EU, which had previously confirmed the fine, and to refer the case back to the General Court for reassessment. The September 6 article discusses how the endless saga will end for Intel and the Commission, and whether it will eventually result in reduction or even cancellation of the fine. This will become clear once the General Court will issue a new ruling, and as Mr. Hirsbrunner explains “beyond that particular case, the ECJ ruling is likely to generate a higher burden of proof for the Commission in assessing the rebates granted by dominant companies.” Similar issues are the subject of pending investigations by the Commission against Google (Android case) and the chip maker Qualcomm.
The full article can be read at the German-language newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung.