anti-competitive agreement

a form of COLLUSION between suppliers aimed at restricting or removing competition between them. For the most part such agreements concentrate on fixing common selling prices and discounts but may also contain provisions relating to market-sharing, production quotas and coordinated capacity adjustments. The main objection to such agreements is that they raise prices above competitive levels, impose unfair terms and conditions on buyers and serve to protect inefficient suppliers from the rigours of competition. In the UK, anti-competitive agreements are prohibited by the COMPETITION ACT, 1998.

anti-competitive agreement

a form of COLLUSION between suppliers aimed at restricting or removing competition between them. For the most part, such agreements concentrate on fixing common selling prices and discounts but may also contain provisions relating to market-sharing, production quotas and coordinated capacity adjustments. The main objection to such agreements is that they raise prices above competitive levels, impose unfair terms and conditions on buyers and serve to protect inefficient suppliers from the rigours of competition. In the UK, anti-competitive agreements are prohibited by the COMPETITION ACT 1998. See also RESTRICTIVE PRACTICES COURT.

Collins Dictionary of Economics, 4th ed. © C. Pass, B. Lowes, L. Davies 2005

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Between January and September 2016, the three firms had an anti-competitive agreement preventing the two suppliers from actively targeting one another's customers through face-to-face sales.

E Gas & Electricity and Economy Energy fined [pounds sterling]870K for breaking competition laws; The two firms had an "anti-competitive agreement" in place, preventing them from sharing better deals with thousands of customers

The CMA stated that both companies had broken competition law by machinating to reach the anti-competitive agreement, and Actavis UK had "abused its dominant position by inducing Concordia to delay its independent entry into the market."

Actavis UK and Concordia accused of fixing cost of drug to drive up prices

On this basis and following a fact finding investigation in 2012, the Commission will look at whether such a provision amounts to an anti-competitive agreement which is barred under EU rules.

EU launches probe into licensing arrangements by US film studios

in 2008 for $US161 million as part of an anti-competitive agreement with regulators that allowed Abitibi-Consoldiated Inc.

CATALYST TO SHUTTER SNOWFLAKE MILL

"The act of these cement companies in limiting and controlling supplies in the market and determining prices through an anti-competitive agreement is not only detrimental to the cause of the consumers but also to the whole economy," the CCI said in the statement.

Anti-trust body fines Indian cement firms

Another LCA, 1Time, has complained that Comair and Lanseria have an anti-competitive agreement that blocks it from launching flights at the airport.

Low-cost airlines thrive in hard times

In a letter to US senators Barack Obama and John McCain, Sir Richard said that the solution to the problems of airlines "should not lie in an anti-competitive agreement which will inevitably lead to less competition and higher fares".

Branson attacks BA for merger plan; In association with Chadwick Lawrence

Eugene Melnyk, chairman of the board, commented, "The FDA's approval has been granted despite the anti-competitive agreement between Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer, Inc.

FDA APPROVES BIOVAIL'S GENERIC PROCARDIA XL 30MG DOSAGE

- Admission of illegality: Aspen admits it was party to an illegal, anti-competitive agreement, by way of settlement.

CMA pharma probe secures £8m for the NHS

He added: "Airlines everywhere are struggling with the current price of oil, but the solution to their problems should not lie in an anti-competitive agreement."

BA would give up flights slots to clinch American Airlines deal; AIRLINES

Airlines are struggling, but the solution should not lie in an anti-competitive agreement

BA ready to give up key slots to secure transatlantic tie-up; in association with RBS

The FTC alleged that the company entered into a 1997 anti-competitive agreement with generics manufacturer Upsher-Smith Laboratories Inc.

Supreme Court may hear case on drug makers' tactics