By Kate Hanaghan, 8 May 2001 17:45
NEWS Policy makers and industry pundits are spending two days addressing antitrust and competition issues. These experts will consider the implications of B2B mergers while taking a closer look at interoperability agreements, B2B operating rules and standard-setting. However, the method of contact with the industry applied by the FTC differs greatly to that of the European Commission. Pat Treacy, a legal expert in competition law at Bristows law firm, explained that the EC views B2B marketplaces as just another economic endeavour that do not need singling out. She said: "The European Commission hasn't done anything as formal, it usually holds discussions on an informal basis." Treacy described the Commission's 'wait and see' approach as "sensitive" especially when over-prescriptive guidelines might only serve to suffocate the natural development of B2B activity. In June of last year, the FTC held an initial meeting to look in general terms at competition issues. In particular, it was concerned about information-sharing agreements, joint purchasing and exclusionary and exclusivity practices. The plan this time around is to dig a little deeper and learn more about the operating rules of B2B exchanges. Although the turnout for yesterday's meeting was disappointing compared with last year's heavily publicised event, Paul Penler, director of e-marketplace practices at Ernst and Young said this year's event was far more worthwhile. Penler added: "I like what the FTC does because they're trying to educate themselves and develop an early warning system."
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