This is an area of increasing importance for business where we have matured particularly significant expertise. Knowledge of the limits of genuine and fair competition implies nowadays not only sound use of legal means, but also particular attention to the abuse of contractual instruments which might be challenged should they interfere with the exercise of free and fair competition.

In the current regulatory scenario, where business relationships are thoroughly regulated both at national and European levels, our clients seek our advice for a preliminary assessment of the compliance and impact of their envisaged agreements and commercial practices, in order to identify potential anti-competitive behaviors (e.g. cartels, abuse of dominant position, restraints) and the relevant risks thereof, or in order to restrain competitors’ or partners’ unlawful behaviors.

We draft and review, from an antitrust standpoint, distribution agreements, franchising agreements, trademark or patent license agreements, know-how and technology transfer and development agreements, focusing in particular on sales and retail distribution. In this area we also provide legal assistance with respect to advertising and customer relations. A specific area where we have well established expertise is that of parallel import and distribution of luxury goods.

Ancillary to mergers and acquisitions, we provide preliminary assistance in order to evaluate the most relevant issues under an antitrust perspective, prepare and carry out any required pre-acquisition or pre-merger filing procedures before the competent domestic or European control authorities.

Our wide range of services in this field covers trial assistance with respect to any kind of litigation arising from breaches of domestic or EU competition regulations before ordinary courts or any domestic or European antitrust authorities.