Tag: Investigation

First Combination Phase – II Investigation !!

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For the first time in since it’s inception, the Commission has begun a Phase – II investigation into the proposed Sun-Pharmaceuticals-Ranbaxy Merger. The Commission will in all probability order an investigation to be conducted by the Director General.

 

It is pertinent to note that the Commission does not seem to be focused on the consequent fifth largest Pharmaceutical Corporation in the world which would be created as a result of the merger, but rather has chosen to keep it’s focus limited to India on the impact on drug prices ans their availability in the Country. (There are approximately forty six drugs which will be manufactured by both together merged as the single entity.) It goes without saying that this is speculative and the focus could widen considerably as the case progresses.

 

UPDATE:

C.C.I. Invites Public Comments on Sun-Ranbaxy Deal. 

Is The Noose Tightening ??

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Is the C.C.I. noose slowly tightening around Google ?? It sure does seem that way. The C.C.I. recently admitted another case against Google, and will probably club the Information with the ongoing investigation in the BharatMatrimony Case and the C.U.T.S Information Case. Speaking of BharatMatrimony and C.U.T.S., Google’s woes have risen with it being fined one crore for non-cooperation in the ongoing D.G. investigation.

 

So why is it facing so much difficulty in India ?? Probably because it may not be innocent after all. Not to express opinion on the merits of the case, but it is a fact that Google hasn’t exactly won any of the competition law cases filed against it across the world. Both the E.U. investigation and F.T.C. investigations were closed with settlements, which one can’t exactly count as a victory. All Google did was make certain commitments to the two bodies and consequently changed their programming to suit the settlement. It can’t do that in India, there being no provision for settlement/compromise of cases in the Competition Act, 2002. In fact, Google has lost a case against it’s Adwords programme in Australia, which has probably bolstered the hopes of those who feel discriminated by Google Adwords.

 

People may believe that I am against Google, considering how much I write about it (and according to many, against it). Rest assured, one could not be farther from the truth. In fact, I am one of Google’s biggest fans, but more on this later in another post which I have planned.