Guide to the EC Block Exemption for Vertical Agreements

The revised EC policy on the application of competition law to vertical agreements is one of the most important developments in EC anti-trust for many years. The block exemption regulation, which came into effect on 1 June 2000, and the accompanying policy changes are crucially important for companies doing business in the European Union. Whichever route a business chooses to get its products to market, it needs to understand the impact of the EC rules.

Guide to the EC Block Exemption for Vertical Agreements provides a comprehensive and practical commentary on the new rules. The work contains the full text of the block exemption regulation, accompanying guidelines and other relevant Commission notices.

Issues covered include:

• background to EC competition law and its application to vertical agreements;
• in-depth analysis of the provisions of the block exemption regulation;
• examination of how the rules apply to exclusive distribution, selective distribution, franchising and agency agreements.

The authoritative and in-depth analysis of the Guide will be invaluable to in-house counsel, business people and practitioners involved in or advising on the distribution of goods or services in the EU.

Martin Mendelsohn, a Solicitor, is Chairman of Eversheds European Franchise Group and is based in Eversheds Solicitors London office. He has been involved in franchising, distribution, agency and licensing transactions for more than 41 years as a lawyer, author, educator and business adviser. He is Visiting Professor at Middlesex University Business School. Mr Mendelsohn has authored and co-authored many publications in the field, and is an Editor of The International Encyclopaedia of Franchising and Editor of the International Journal of Franchising and Distribution Law.

Stephen Rose is a partner at Eversheds solicitors, London, where he specialises in EC and UK anti-trust and competition law, advising a number of household names. Mr Rose has written a book on the UK Competition Act 1998 and is a regular contributor to periodicals and speaker at competition law conferences.

Both authors tracked closely the development of the block exemption regulation and were involved in lobbying the Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry for amendments to the draft legislation.