Competition lawyer – Competition law

An innovative company that is creating a new market, or a company that is expanding into an existing market, needs to ask itself questions about competition law.

The practices developed as part of the business must comply with the strict rules of competition law. The application of this law, which stems from French and European legislation, requires appropriate legal reasoning.

The firm and its competition lawyers, with their knowledge of both domestic and European law, are ideally placed to assist you in these matters.

Why call on the services of a lawyer?

To avoid any penalties, you need to ensure that your company’s activities are legally secure as it expands. Your company may be required to enter into commercial partnership agreements. Care must therefore be taken when drafting these contracts to avoid any anti-competitive practices.

The assistance of a competition lawyer is therefore an alternative that often proves decisive. It makes it possible to avoid sanctions on the basis of competition law. An expert lawyer from the firm will be able to guide you in your practices and in the drafting of your contracts.

The firm is at your side at every stage of your development:

• Analysis of the relevant market;
• Drafting of contractual documents, in compliance with regulations on anti-competitive practices;
• Representation in the event of litigation before the relevant courts.

In addition, a company’s activities may be investigated by the Autorité de la concurrence at any time. During these investigations, the advice of a competition lawyer is a decisive asset. He or she will not only protect your rights, but also respond to the requests and observations of the officers in charge of the investigation.

The firm’s lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the Competition Authority’s procedures. They represent you and defend your interests in any proceedings before the Competition Authority or the DGCCRF, for example during the investigation or in litigation before the relevant courts.

Why is there such a thing as competition law?

All businesses, regardless of their size or activity, are subject to the restrictive rules of competition law. Competition law provides a framework for the development of business activities. It protects know-how and offers protection against malicious acts by competitors, in particular unfair competition andabuse of a dominant position.

Compliance with these rules is monitored by the FrenchCompetition Authority (Autorité de la Concurrence) and the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes – DGCCRF).Failure by any economic playerto comply with competition rules is heavily penalised.

The development of new technologies has facilitated anti-competitive practices. Many companies tend to take advantage of the competitive success of another company. Counterfeiting, reproduction and even appropriation of another company’s distinctive signs – there are many ways to harm a competitor’s business.

While the economic and financial impact of such practices may be less, the consequences in terms of reputation can be dramatic.

When, despite amicable attempts to resolve the dispute, the practice does not cease, recourse to a competition lawyer proves to be a decisive alternative. He or she will put an end to the infringement of your rights as quickly as possible.

His or her status gives him or her the legitimacy to resolve the conflict quickly. If necessary, your lawyer will propose a legal solution to the dispute. He will represent you before the legal authorities, and the dispute will end with the malicious competitor being ordered to pay you damages.

Ourlaw firmin Paris will support and advise you in your pre-litigation or litigation actions, and in the amicable settlement of your dispute.