Government in markets – Why competition matters: a guide for policy makers

This Office of Fair Trading guide sets out the rationale for Government intervention in markets and demonstrates that for these interventions to be effective in the long term, their impact on competition needs to be a central consideration. The guide then sets out some of the major ways that Government intervenes, both in setting market frameworks and through its wider impact on markets. It also identifies ways that policy makers can spot and minimise unintended consequences that impact on effective market dynamics beyond the short term. It includes case studies of the impacts in practice. 

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Capita-IBS Case Study

In its investigation of the acquisition of IBS OPENsystems by Capita Group, the Competition Commission found that a UK market existed for a single software system and its related services, the Revenue & Benefits (R&B) software system. A substantial lessening of competition in this market was found to result from the merger, the remedy of which required Capita to divest IBS’ Revenue & Benefits software system and to assign to any approved purchaser the intellectual property rights of software codes necessary to operate the IBS R&B business.

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Trends in Connectivity Report

This report contains a review of technology trends underlying the future Internet Society. It assesses the possible future socio-economic impacts; as well as the changing business models that are likely to emerge in the next 5 to 10 years. The ultimate objective of the study is to make future policy recommendations for the successor programme to the current EU’s ICT strategy: the i2010 programme. The project involved trend analysis, econometric modelling, desk research, interviews, a survey, scenario development and gaming. The report was commissioned by DG INFSO as part of its preparations for the sucessor programme to i2010. 

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Guidance on the Commission’s enforcement priorities in applying Article 82 of the EC Treaty to abusive exclusionary conduct by dominant undertakings

The OCA welcomes publication of the Commission’s guidance on its enforcement priorities in applying Article 82 of the EC Treaty to abusive exclusionary conduct by dominant undertakings.

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