The companies of the TIMETOACT GROUP have a great interest in complying with the respective applicable antitrust and competition regulations, because non-compliance can have serious consequences for the companies. In particular, fines or other forms of monetary penalties can be imposed on the affected company, agreements can be invalid, third parties can possibly claim damages, and there is a risk of damage to reputation and negative press if legal violations become public.
In order to avoid damage to the companies of the TIMETOACT GROUP through antitrust and competition violations, the following must therefore be observed in particular:
The conclusion of agreements of any kind or concerted practices (e.g. an informal cooperation) with competitors or with customers, which aim to restrict competition or which have an anti-competitive effect, are considered violations of antitrust law. In individual cases, business discussions with competitors may also already be considered or interpreted as violations of antitrust law. This may be the case in particular in the case of
Agreements to fix or control prices (e.g., minimum prices, minimum charges, or discounts);
Exchanges of information on prices, conditions of sale, discounts and sales promotion measures;
Agreements on territorial division of markets;
Specific invitation to bid;
Agreements on the allocation of customers;
Agreements to restrict production or sales of products;
Agreements to boycott certain business partners or customers;
Agreements on vertical restraints (e.g. prohibition of passing on discounts).
If a business-related discussion is held with a competitor on one or more of the above topics, employees should not participate in the discussion or should leave the meeting, as meetings of this nature may constitute or at least indicate anti-competitive cooperation.