80/256/EEC: Commission Decision of 14 December 1979 relating to a proceeding under Article 85 of the EEC Treaty (IV/29.595 - Pioneer Hi-Fi Equipment) (Only the French, German, English and Dutch texts are authentic)
Data as of 2026-07-04 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
The concerted practice between Musique Diffusion Française, Pioneer Electronic Europe NV and C. Melchers and Co. consisting in the prevention, from the latter part of 1975 until February 1976, of imports of Pioneer equipment from the Federal Republic of Germany to France constitutes an infringement of Article 85 (1) of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community.
The concerted practice between Musique Diffusion Française, Pioneer Electronic Europe NV and Pioneer High Fidelity (GB) Ltd (formerly Shriro (UK) Ltd) consisting in the prevention, from the latter part of 1975 until the latter part of 1977 of imports from the United Kingdom to France constitutes an infringement of Article 85 (1) of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community.
1. A fine of 850 000 (eight hundred and fifty thousand) European units of account, that is FF 4 942 597 (four million, nine hundred and forty two thousand, five hundred and ninety seven French francs), is imposed on Musique Diffusion Française. This fine must be paid into the Société Général Paris, account No 5.770.006.5, in the name of the Commission of the European Communities within three months from the date of notification of this Decision to Musique Diffusion Française. 2. A fine of 4 350 000 (four million, three hundred and fifty thousand) European units of account, that is Bfrs 175 476 825 (one hundred and seventy five million, four hundred and seventy six thousand, eight hundred and twenty five Belgian francs), is imposed on Pioneer Electronic Europe NV. This fine must be paid into the Kredietbank, account No 426.4403001-52, in the name of the Commission of the European Communities within three months from the date of notification of this Decision to Pioneer Electronic Europe NV. 3. A fine of 1 450 000 (one million, four hundred and fifty thousand) European units of account, that is DM 3 596 667 (three million, five hundred and ninety six thousand, six hundred and sixty seven Deutsche marks), is imposed on C. Melchers & Co. This fine must be paid into the Deutsche Bank Saar, account No 04099-79, in the name of the Commission of the European Communities within three months from the date of notification of this Decision to C. Melchers & Co. 4. A fine of 300 000 (three hundred thousand) European units of account, that is £ 194 925 (one hundred and ninety four thousand, nine hundred and twenty five pounds sterling, is imposed on Pioneer High Fidelity (GB) Ltd (formerly Shriro (UK) Ltd). This fine must be paid into Lloyd's Bank Ltd Overseas Department, PO Box 19, 6 East Cheap London EC-3-P3AB, account No 108.63.41, in the name of the Commission of the European Communities within three months from the date of notification of this Decision to Pioneer High Fidelity (GB) Ltd.
Musique Diffusion Française, Pioneer Electronic Europe NV, C. Melchers & Co. and Pioneer High Fidelity (GB) Ltd (formerly Shriro (UK) Ltd) shall forthwith, in so far as they have not already done so, bring to an end the concerted practices described in Articles 1 and 2, and all actions having as their object or effect the compartmentalization of national markets in the EEC. Furthermore, they are prohibited from undertaking in the future any action having the same object or effect as the concerted practices described in Articles 1 and 2.
This Decision shall be enforceable, in accordance with Article 192 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community.
This Decision is addressed to: - Musique Diffusion Française, Vélizy-Villacoublay (France), - Pioneer Electronic Europe NV, Antwerp (Belgium), - C. Melchers & Co., Bremen (Federal Republic of Germany) and - Pioneer High Fidelity (GB) Ltd (formerly Shriro (UK) Ltd), Iver, Buckinghamshire (United Kingdom). Done at Brussels, 14 December 1979. For the Commission Raymond VOUEL Member of the Commission
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.