Gecić Law is pleased to announce yet another win in an antitrust law case in collaboration with Marić & Co Law Firm Ltd. Together, we have obtained a favorable judgment for our esteemed client Arena Channels Group (ACG). In October, we shared news on the case focused on premium football broadcasting within Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The Competition Authority of BiH (CA) initiated an investigation, prompted by Telemach, alleging abuse of market dominance by ACG. After a thorough investigation, the CA dismissed the complaint, concluding ACG’s equitable engagement within the market. The dispute persisted as the initial claimant challenged the CA’s decision. However, the […]
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In latest CBAM news, the European Commission has acknowledged significant technical difficulties impacting businesses for the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) reporting. These issues stem from a technical malfunction affecting several EU customs systems, including ICS2 and the CBAM Registry. To support declarants facing challenges in CBAM reporting, the Commission has introduced measures to facilitate the process. Starting from February 1, a new feature in the Transitional Registry will allow affected businesses to “request delayed submission”. This provision grants an additional 30 days for submitting their quarterly CBAM report. The Commission has assured that no penalties will apply for […]
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In an era where businesses are increasingly attuned to their environmental and social footprint, the European Union has ushered in a transformative era by introducing the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Anticipated to take effect in 2024, this groundbreaking legislation is poised to reshape the landscape for companies operating within the EU and beyond its borders. At its essence, the CSDDD compels large companies to: Identify, prevent, and alleviate potential adverse impacts on human rights and the environment across their entire value chain, encompassing subsidiaries, suppliers, and downstream partners. Institute a due diligence process integrating risk assessment, grievance mechanisms, […]
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The European Union (EU) has recently made another significant advancement in its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by reaching a provisional agreement on stringent regulations to reduce emissions from trucks, buses, and trailers. These heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) are known to be substantial contributors to harmful emissions. With the implementation of these new rules, there will be a significant shift towards cleaner and more eco-friendly transportation. What’s changing? Starting in 2030, new HDVs will have to emit 45% less carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to 2019 levels. This target becomes even more ambitious in 2035, with a 65% reduction in CO2 emissions […]
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Yesterday in Skopje, member countries of the Open Balkan initiative took an important step towards enhancing regional economic cooperation. Representatives of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania signed two protocols aimed at establishing a free labor market between the member countries of the Open Balkan initiative. These include the Protocol on the Implementation of the Agreement on Conditions for Free Access to the Labor Market in the Western Balkans and the Protocol on Connecting the Electronic Identification Schemes of the Western Balkans Citizens. Representing Serbia, Gojko Stanivuković, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, signed the documents. This demonstrates the […]
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New rules Fédération internationale de football association (“FIFA”), with its prerogatives in creating the legal framework for the game of football, enacted new changes in their FIFA Football Agent Regulations (“FFAR”). To create a more transparent, efficient, and just system, the new regulations aim to reinforce contractual stability, protect the integrity of the transfer system, and achieve greater financial transparency. However, some of the introduced provisions may potentially violate competition laws, leading to a reluctance among many countries to incorporate the FFAR into their national regulations. With many court proceedings in various national courts from England to Brazil and before […]
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Gecić Law and the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Law signed a cooperation agreement yesterday, marking an important step in strengthening practical education for law students through collaboration on the first Competition Law Clinic. The agreement creates a meaningful partnership between the academic and professional communities, providing law students practical experience. The Competition Law Clinic, established on December 14, 2023, on the initiative of Prof. Dr. Dušan V. Popović, a full professor of Competition Law, represents an innovative approach to learning. The clinic integrates into the Legal Skills course in the fourth year of undergraduate studies, particularly emphasizing the winter […]
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What are Green and other related ESG corporate bonds? Green bonds, a prominent term in finance, have recently gained significant attention. These instruments, part of the broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) category, offer distinct advantages over regular bonds and play a crucial role in modern finance. Like regular bonds, ESG bonds involve loans from investors to organizations. These loans finance projects, and investors receive their principal back with interest. ESG bonds include green, social, climate, and sustainability-linked types. Green bonds, issued by public or private entities, finance environmental or climate change projects. They represent the environmental aspect of ESG. […]
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In a move to learn more about emerging digital markets, the European Commission today launched calls for contributions focused on virtual worlds and generative AI. These initiatives represent a step by the Commission to understand the competitive dynamics in these rapidly evolving sectors. The Commission has reached out to various stakeholders, requesting information to gain a comprehensive view of the current state of competition in these innovative fields. Players from all corners of the industry, including developers, consumers, and academic experts, will indeed share their experiences and insights. Virtual Worlds: A New Competitive Landscape Virtual worlds, characterized by their persistent, […]
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An (Un)expected Oligopoly At the end of October, the Belgian Competition Authority (L’Autorité belge de la Concurrence) (“ABC”) released an opinion on the state of competition in Belgium’s retail banking market (the “Opinion”). The Opinion revealed that the retail banking market in Belgium is an oligopoly. Four banks dominate the market: BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC, Belfius, and ING. As an oligopoly, the retail banking market exhibits specific characteristics. These include similar services on offer and frequent interactions between banks, facilitating coordination among the most prominent market participants and reducing competition. The most obvious example of services with identical commercial terms […]
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