M&A activity in the connected vehicles sector might need to be notified to antitrust authorities, even when the target has limited revenues, as shown by the recent Intel/Mobileye deal. Connected vehicles (or, taking it one step further, self-driving cars) are computers on wheels and represent a rapidly changing area raising major challenges – including compliance with legal and regulatory obligations. The future mergers and acquisitions between car manufacturers and suppliers, technology companies, insurers and/or others…

A non-compete obligation which is imposed on the seller in the context of a M&A transaction can be permissible when it is ancillary to the transfer of the relevant business, that is, when it is directly related and necessary to the implementation of the deal.  In order to enjoy the fruits of the purchase of the transferred business, the buyer must be able to benefit from some protection against competition from the seller.  However, non-compete…

The Italian administrative tribunal of Lazio region (tribunale amministrativo regionale del Lazio, “TAR”), the sole responsible court for the appeal of the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”) decisions, has recently provided detailed clarification regarding when information exchange between competitors is not illegal.  In a series of judgments regarding the TV post-production services case, the TAR overturned the conclusions (and subsequently the fine) that the ICA had imposed on over twenty post-production television services companies and…