Competitive Edge: Competition & EU Law - June 2025
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Keeping you up to date on Competition & EU law developments in Europe and beyond.
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In Focus
Data privacy vs. Antitrust: Why legal teams must now speak both languages
The digital economy has shattered traditional legal silos. Data privacy and competition law now intersect in ways that fundamentally reshape market dynamics. When dominant platforms use privacy frameworks as competitive weapons, regulators are responding with unprecedented cooperation between data protection and competition authorities. For in-house legal teams, this convergence demands fluency in both disciplines. Companies that fail to recognise how privacy implementations can tip competitive scales risk regulatory action and missed strategic opportunities. Understanding these regulatory shifts is essential for effective compliance and business strategy.
Read the full article by Thomas Oster and Elsa Mandel Benichou for a detailed analysis of these developments and their practical implications.
AI & Competition law survey
Help us tailor our AI & Competition law content to your needs
As AI continues to reshape markets and regulatory landscapes, we want to ensure that our insights remain relevant to your practice. Please take 2-3 minutes to complete our quick survey on AI and competition law priorities. Your responses will help us develop more targeted content, events, and resources.
We'll be happy to share a summary of the key findings with the survey participants.
Updates from our jurisdictions
EU
How could this happen? Car manufacturers and industry association get €458 million fine over end-of-life vehicles recycling cartel
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Anne Federle or Álvaro López de Ochoa García.
Small Stakes, High Fines: European Commission Fines Delivery Hero and Glovo EUR 329 Million
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Joost van Roosmalen or Pauline Kuipers.
China
Brief Analysis on Artificial Intelligence and Antitrust in China
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Sven-Michael Werner or Grace Zhao.
Czech Republic
Czech Constitutional Court intervenes to strike down unlawful dawn raid against betting companies
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Martin Taimr or Vojtěch Chloupek.
Denmark
Digital Love: Leveraging Physical Market Power in Digital Markets - Danish Maritime and Commercial High Court Confirms Tying Abuse
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Morten Nissen, Alexander Brøchner, or Stefan Brkic.
Finland
Exclusivity and price parity clauses under review in Finland’s food delivery market
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Katia Duncker, Petteri Metsä-Tokila or Maria Karpathakis.
Germany
German Federal Court of Justice Confirms Apple's Paramount Significance for Competition Across Markets
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Stephan Waldheim or Gitty Narymany Shandy.
Hungary
Decrease in Single-Bid Public Procurements in the Vehicle Procurement Market
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Gabor Kutai and Kinga Kálmán.Italy
Italian Competition Authority accepts Dior Group commitments in ethical and social claims investigation
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Federico Marini Balestra, or Bianca Maria Gorlero.
Netherlands
All Bark, no Bite? Dutch Regulator Starts Investigation into Veterinary Sector
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Pauline Kuipers or Joost van Roosmalen.
A swipe at Apple’s power: Dutch Court upholds antitrust order against Apple’s App Store terms
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Pauline Kuipers.
Spain
CNMC request modifications to RFEF’s proposals for a more competitive commercialisation of audiovisual rights in Spanish football competitions
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Candela Sotes.
UK
Court of Appeal Upholds CMA's Decision in Excessive Pricing Case
Read the full story
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Peter Willis or Flora McCarthy.
Events and webinars
IBA Conference ESG: the Brussels Effect at a crossroads
18 - 20 June | Paris, France
Presented by the IBA European Regional Forum, IBA North American Regional Forum, SEERIL, IBA Business Human Rights Committee, and IBA Law Firm Management Committe, this conference will explore the divergence of ESG approaches in North America and Europe, global regulatory shifts, sector-specific ESG topics, and updates from industry leaders on national security, regulatory landscapes, and AI.
Partner Pauline Kuipers will join a panel discussing The EU Omnibus Package going forward – what businesses should look out for now and in the short/mid-term future. This session will cover compliance with the CSRD, CS3D, and EU taxonomy, the impact of Omnibus I and II on ESG reporting, effective ESG due diligence strategies, and the future of regulatory harmonisation in ESG reporting across the EU.
2025 Florence Digitalisation Summer Conference
Digital sovereignty in a postglobalised world
26 - 27 June | Badia Fiesolana, Italy & Online
This conference will explore the concept of digital sovereignty and its impact on competition and innovation in technology markets. This hybrid event, organised by the Centre for a Digital Society and the OECD Secretariat, will cover key issues such as the policy objectives of digital sovereignty and its differing interpretations in the EU and USA. Discussions will also delve into the influence of digital sovereignty on the development of technologies like 5G, semiconductors and AI, as well as its implications for future competitive dynamics.
Don't miss this opportunity to engage with leading voices in the debate on digital sovereignty. Bird & Bird partner Hein Hobbelen will take part in a panel on Semi-Conductors and Manufacturing Resilience.
Conference takeaways Key takeaways from Global Merger Control Forum 2025
15 May | Brussels, Belgium
Our Brussels-based partner Anne Federle shared some key insights from the recent Global Merger Control Forum organised by Thought Leaders 4 Competition, where she moderated the panel on Political and Policy Pressures Shaping Merger Control, featuring experts from across the industry. Discover her thoughts on the – not so new – debate on the role of industrial policy in merger control and about the challenges created by the Illumina/Grail and the Towercast judgements for drafting effective merger control conditions precedent in transaction agreements.
Key Takeaways from recent event
Competition law developments in Sport
Did you miss our breakfast seminar on the latest competition law developments in sport on 10 June? You can read a short list of key takeaways by clicking on the link below.
Featuring a cutting-edge expert panel, the discussions explored the impact of the Sports Trilogy competition cases (namely, Superleague, International Skating Union and Royal Antwerp) on the future of sport regulation.
Guest speakers were:
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Marie Demetriou KC – Barrister, Brick Court Chambers
- Nick Craig – Chief Operating Officer, English Football League
- Prof. Giorgio Monti – Professor of Competition Law, Tilburg Law School
The panel was moderated by our competition law partner Dr. Saskia King and sports law partner Richard Bush. Keep an eye out for future events and updates on this topic.
Read the Key Takeaways from the event
Bird & Bird news
Best Lawyers in France 2026
Congratulations to our Paris - based competition partner Thomas Oster, who has been recognised in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in France, in the Competition / Antitrust law category.
Furthermore, Paris-based associate Elsa Mandel has also been included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in France for her expertise in Competition / Antitrust law. Using peer review methodology, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognizes lawyers in the early stages of their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice.
