EU Competition Law Volume VI: Vertical Restraints

This book gives a comprehensive account of vertical restraints under EU competition law, providing in-depth guidance for practitioners and businesses, as well as valuable insights for scholars, while also contributing to the broader debate on the application of EU competition rules to vertical agreements.

Following a detailed assessment of the current block exemption regulation, subsequent chapters address the key issues raised by the most common vertical restrictions and contractual models. These include resale price maintenance, exclusive distribution and customer allocation, selective distribution, single-branding, tying, franchise agreements, upfront access payments and category management, agency agreements, subcontracting agreements, and parity obligations.

Key Features:

• Reference to different legal systems provides valuable points of comparison
• Bridges theory and practice, combining academic insight with practical guidance
• Strong emphasis on economic analysis and how this informs enforcement practice
• Comprehensive coverage of the major types of vertical restraints, from traditional models to emerging contractual practices
• Thorough examination of digital challenges, including e-commerce, online platforms and the impact of digital transformation on distribution models

Vertical Restraints is an essential reference point for competition lawyers in private practice, in the legal departments of companies within the supply chains, and in public enforcement roles. It is also a valuable research resource for scholars in EU competition law.