This Decision is addressed to:
(a) Interbrew NV, Vaartstraat 94, B-3000 Leuven;
(b) Groupe Danone SA, 7 rue de Téhéran, F-75008 Paris;
(c) Alken-Maes NV, Waarloosveld 10, B-2550 Waarloos;
(d) NV Brouwerij Haacht, Provinciesteenweg 28, B-3190 Boortmeerbeek;
(e) NV Brouwerij Martens, Reppelerweg 1, B-3950 Bocholt;
This Decision shall be enforceable pursuant to Article 256 of the EC Treaty.
Done at Brussels, 5 December 2001.
For the Commission
Mario Monti
Member of the Commission
(1) OJ 13, 21.2.1962, p. 204/62.
(2) OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 354, 30.12.1998, p. 18.
(4) OJ C 187, 7.8.2003.
(5) CBB reply to request for information, 1.2.2000 (doc. 37614 02686-02701).
(6) CBB reply to request for information, 1.2.2000 (doc. 37614 06563-06737).
(7) The CBB distinguishes Pils, amber ales, white beers, abbey beers, Trappist beers, table beers, gueuze and fruit beers, British-style ales, premium lagers, non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers, strong golden ales, regional beers, and sour beers. See the website http://www.beerparadise.be.
(8) The Beer Service, Annual Report 1999, Belgium, April 1999, Canadean Ltd (doc. 37614-09997); a table showing annual beer consumption in Belgium from 1993 to 1998 can be found in Annex I.
(9) CBB reply to request for information, 1.2.2000 (doc. 37614 06563-06737).
(10) The Beer Service, Annual Report 1999, Belgium, April 1999, Canadean Ltd (doc. 37614 09987).
(11) The Beer Service, Annual Report 1999, Belgium, April 1999, Canadean Ltd (doc. 37614 09968).
(12) CBB reply to request for information, 1.2.2000 (doc. 37614 02685).
(13) The Beer Service, Annual Report 1999, Belgium, April 1999, Canadean Ltd (doc. 37614 09958).
(14) Article 3 of the Order stated that this requirement did not apply to producers with an annual turnover of less than BEF 50 million, or in respect of certain speciality beers such as sour beers and abbey and Trappist beers.
(15) Information indicated in square brackets is considered to be a business secret by the party concerned.
(16) As Danone sold its beer operations in the middle of the year 2000, the figures for 1999 give a better picture of its annual turnover in beer than those for 2000.
(17) The Beer Service, Annual Report 1999, Belgium, April 1999, Canadean Ltd. (doc. 3714 09954).
(18) CBB reply to request for information, 1.2.2000 (doc. 37614 02683, 02720).
(19) The Beer Service, Annual Report 1999, Belgium, April 1999, Canadean Ltd (doc. 37614 09986, 09988).
(20) Annex 23 to Alken-Maes' reply to the request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01862-01925); inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK16 (doc. 37614 01268-01272).
(21) Annex B9 to Interbrew's reply to the request for information, 22.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02062-02063).
(22) Inspection at the offices of Interbrew, document MV15 (doc. 37614 8815-8820). Original Dutch.
(23) The Beer Service, Annual Report 1999, Belgium, April 1999, Canadean Ltd (doc. 37614 09992).
(24) Judgments of the Court of Justice in Case 85/87 Dow Benelux v Commission (1989) ECR 3137, paragraphs 19 and 20, and Case C-67/91 Dirección General de Defensa de la Competencia v Asociación Española de Banca Privada (1992) ECR I-4785, paragraphs 39 et seq.
(25) OJ C 207, 18.7.1996, p. 4.
(26) See footnote 23.
(27) This code name was generally used to refer to cooperation between Interbrew and Alken-Maes: letter from Interbrew, 22.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01984); see also recitals 51, 60, 63, 107 and 108; this cooperation was later referred to by the code name "project Green" (recitals 68 and 71).
(28) Letter from Interbrew, 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 2600), and especially Annex I.2 to that letter; letter from Interbrew, 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7551-7552, 7680-7684), and especially Annex 18 to that letter; see also statement of objections, paragraph 44.
(29) Inspection at the offices of Interbrew, document LVL1 (doc. 37614 8559); see also statement of objections, paragraph 45.
(30) Letter from Interbrew, 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7551-7552, 7558-7562), and especially Annex 1 to that letter; see also statement of objections, paragraph 46.
(31) Original English.
(32) Annex 1 to Interbrew letter of 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7562); see also statement of objections, paragraph 48.
(33) Original French: "Université de Lille: étude projet de réduction des investissements commerciaux dans le but d'améliorer à court, moyen et long terme notre rentabilité."
(34) Annex I.2 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 2600-2601).
(35) Original French: "Transférer une partie des coûts de la dotation en matériel POS aux revendeurs suivant le principe 50/50 accompagné d'une hausse du prix des verres ... En ce qui concerne les dépenses publicitaires, celles-ci idéalement ne devraient pas dépasser en 1993, 300 MBF en assumant que le concurrent principal ne dépasse pas 140 MBF. Ces dépenses ne concernent que les Pils y compris les N.A. et Lights ... Autres paramètres à l'étude: coût installation/maintenance débit, politique des prix en alimentaire, nouvelle tarification ..."
(36) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV30 (doc. 37614 00554); letter from Interbrew, 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7554); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7878); see also statement of objections, paragraph 50.
(37) Annex 9 to the Interbrew letter of 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7597); see also statement of objections, paragraph 51.
(38) Original English.
(39) Annex 10 to the Interbrew letter of 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7599-7600); see also statement of objections, paragraph 52. Original Dutch.
(40) Letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7478, 7488), and especially Annex 1 to that letter; letter from Interbrew, 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7555, 7683), and especially Annex 18 to that letter; inspection at the offices of Interbrew, document MV3 (doc. 37614 8690); see also statement of objections, paragraph 54.
(41) Original French: "Ils ont eu des discussions sur un certain scénario de comportement de marché."
(42) Letter from Interbrew, 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7683), and especially Annex 18 to that letter; see also statement of objections, paragraph 55.
(43) Original French: "... a évoqué avec nous, au cours d'une réunion interne (le 5 mai 1994), le scénario qui était une demande de Kronenbourg. En substance, KRO exerçait du chantage pour que ITW transfère 500000 hl vers AM (surtout dans le Food). Sinon, ils détruiraient ITW-France avec la complicité de Heineken et ils attaqueraient ITW en Belgique avec des prix très bas."
(44) Interbrew's reply to the Commission' request for information, 23.12.1999, including Annex B.3 to that reply (doc. 37614 2002, 2039); Annex I.2 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02602); Annex to Interbrew letter of 19.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02672-02674); Annex 18 to Interbrew letter of 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7683); inspection at the offices of Interbrew, documents MV5 and MV8 (doc. 37614 8692, 8695); Danone's reply to request for information, 10.5.2000 (doc. 37614 9864-9865); see also statement of objections, paragraph 58.
(45) Annex 18 to Interbrew letter of 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7683).
(46) Original French: "[...] a réitéré ses exigences de transférer 500000 HL vers AM sous menace de la destruction de ITW en France. Il a préconisé un comportement ITW/AM en Belgique qui serait calqué sur 'les accords en France' ... Le mécanisme français se résume à ce que les Directeurs de vente alimentaire (Food) de Heieneken en Kronenbourg se concertent très fréquemment afin de contrôler les parts de marché respectives en manipulant - les promotions, - les prix, - les conditions." See also statement of objections, paragraph 56.
(47) Annex to Heineken's reply to request for information, 11.5.2000 (doc. 37614 9947); see also statement of objections, paragraph 57. Original Dutch.
(48) Letter from Interbrew, 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7552); see also statement of objections, paragraph 58.
(49) Annex 2 to Interbrew letter of 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7564).
(50) Original French: "J'ai convenu hier avec le 'Big Boss' de 'Green' de ne pas commencer une guerre mais d'essayer de gagner du temps. Notre but est de trouver une solution telle que, par exemple, un contrat commercial et de mettre la même chose en pratique en Belgique. Nous allons certainement rester en contact."
(51) Danone's reply to request for information, 10.5.2000 (doc. 37614 9829-9831, 9943-9944).
(52) "Juillet 94: quasi signer une paix avec [...]"; see also statement of objections, paragraph 60.
(53) "Parts de Marché juge de paix".
(54) "Paix Belgique [harr ] Paix régionale France [rarr ] Paix nationale".
(55) Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999, and especially Annex B.4 to that reply (doc. 37614 2002-2003, 2040); Annex I.2 to Interbrew's letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02602).
(56) Annex 18 to Interbrew's letter of 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7683-7684); see also statement of objections, paragraph 59.
(57) Original French: "Bien que l'Horeca n'était pas discuté lors du meeting du Roy d'Espagne, [...], quand il est devenu directeur général de AM en Belgique, commence à m'appeler avec la demande de se concerter pour contrôler l'augmentation très forte des investissements pour conclure des contrats de brasserie. Il y a eu plusieurs autres conversations, surtout téléphoniques, avec [...] Il a essayé de mettre sur pied un système de consultation préalable lors d'achats et de ventes de cafés. J'ai systématiquement refusé. Dans ce contexte j'ai eu un dîner avec [...] Le résultat a été ma note du 5 octobre 1994 à [...] Au cours de ce dîner nous en sommes restés à des généralités. J'ai réitéré que les 'mécanismes français' n'étaient pas transposables en Belgique."
(58) Annex I to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02014); see also statement of objections, paragraph 60.
(59) Original English.
(60) Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 2003-2004); Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02591); letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 3 to that letter (doc. 37614 7478, 7495).
(61) Annex B5 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02041-02043); see also statement of objections, paragraph 62. Original Dutch.
(62) Annex B6 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02045).
(63) Original English.
(64) Annex B6 to Interbrew's reply to request for information (doc. 37614 02046-02059); see also statement of objections, paragraph 63.
(65) Annex B6 to Interbrew reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02044).
(66) Original English.
(67) Annexes 18 and 20 to Danone's reply to request for information, 10.5.2000 (doc. 37614 9879-9881, 9888-9890).
(68) Original French: "Accord 94 sur les prix avec le nom de ..."; see also statement of objections, paragraph 63.
(69) Annex B8 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02061); see also statement of objections, paragraph 64.
(70) Original English.
(71) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV26 (doc. 37614 00550); Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02004); Annex I.1 to the Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02591); Interbrew letter of 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 4 to that letter (doc. 37614 7478, 7496).
(72) Annex B7 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02060); see also statement of objections, paragraph 65.
(73) Annex B9 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02062); see also statement of objections, paragraph 66.
(74) Original English.
(75) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV29 (doc. 37614 00553); Interbrew reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02004-02005); Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02591); letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7479, 7497).
(76) Annex B10 to Interbrew's letter of 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02064-02065); see also statement of objections, paragraph 67.
(77) Original English.
(78) Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02005); Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02591); letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 6 to that letter (doc. 37614 7479, 7498); see also statement of objections, paragraph 68.
(79) Annex B11 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02066).
(80) Original English: "1. Pricing in the food to be established. J=SA=A-M= 275,-."
(81) Annex B14 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02081); see also statement of objections, paragraph 69. Original Dutch.
(82) Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02006); like "Université de Lille", "Project Green" is a code name used by Interbrew to refer to the cooperation between Interbrew and Alken-Maes; Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01984).
(83) Annexes B15 and B16 to Interbrew's reply to request of information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02082-02086); see also statement of objections, paragraph 70. Original Dutch.
(84) The brewers' rebate system for sales for consumption on and off the premises.
(85) Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02006); Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02592); Interbrew letter of 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 9 to that letter (doc. 37614 7479, 7501); inspection at the offices of Interbrew, document MV1 (doc. 37614 8688); Annex 24 to Danone's reply to request for information, 10.5.2000 (doc. 37614 9903-9904); see also statement of objections, paragraph 72.
(86) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV21 (doc. 37614 00545); Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02006-02007); Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.1999 (doc. 37614 02592); letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000, especially Annexes 10 and 12 (doc. 37614 7479-7480, 7502, 7504); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7880); see also statement of objections, paragraph 72.
(87) Annex 14 to Interbrew letter of 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7609-7612); see also statement of objections, paragraph 74. Original Dutch.
(88) Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02007-02008); Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02593); letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 15 to that letter (doc. 37614 7580-7481, 7507).
(89) Annex B20 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02094); see also statement of objections, paragraph 75.
(90) Original French: "1. Domaine: Les contrats d'obligation, Objectif: Préserver le 'système' belge, Moyens: Respect des contrats d'obligation ...Demande d'info en cas de doute. 2. Domaine: Les clients nationaux, Objectif: Éviter l'escalade des 'sacrifices', Moyens: Respect des accords en cours, Pas d'attaque des clients mutuels, Concertation pour les nouveaux. 3. Domaine: Les nouvelles affaires, Objectif: Contenir le 'cost of doing business', Moyens: Contact direct pour tous les cas de surévaluation/surinvestissement, Language commun en matière de calcul de coût et fixation d'un plafond. 4. Domaine: La concurrence, Objectif: Concentrer l'attaque sur les autres concurrents, Moyens: Échange d'informations marketinges, Stimulation des équipes (primes!)."
(91) Annex B19 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02091-02093).
(92) Annex 39 to Alken-Maes letter of 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 8497).
(93) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000, and especially Annex 39 to that letter (doc. 37614 7881, 8495-8501); see also statement of objections, paragraph 76.
(94) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV23 (doc. 37614 00547); Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02008); Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02593); letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 16 to that letter (doc. 37614 7481, 7508); see also statement of objections, paragraph 77.
(95) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV15 (doc. 37614 00519-00527); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7881); see also statement of objections, paragraph 78. Original Dutch: "juiste impact wordt samen later bekeken. (IB-AM)"; "Alken-Maes moet eerste fase ook klaar hebben tegen 1/1/96"; "+/- op dezelfde golflengte als IB zitten".
(96) Inspection at Alken-Maes's offices, document MV24 (doc. 37614 00548); Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02593); letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 17 to that letter (doc. 37614 7481, 7509); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7881).
(97) Letter from Interbrew, 28.2.2000, and especially Annexes L-15 and L-16 to that letter (doc. 37614 8970, 9046-9051); see also statement of objections, paragraph 79.
(98) Original English.
(99) Annex 18 to Interbrew letter of 8.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7510); see also statement of objections, paragraph 80. Original Dutch.
(100) Inspection at Interbrew's offices, document MV22 (doc. 37614 8919); see also statement of objections, paragraph 81. Original Dutch.
(101) Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02008); Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02593); letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 19 to that letter (doc. 7481, 7511).
(102) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV14 (doc. 37614 00494-00502).
(103) Annex 29 to Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01937-01939); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (37614 7881-7882); see also statement of objections, paragraph 82.
(104) As to the size of this sorting charge, the values given by the undertakings concerned differ, ranging from [...] (Haacht) to [...] (Danone).
(105) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000, and especially Annex 40 to that letter (doc. 37614 7882, 8502-8504).
(106) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7882): "On 26 and 31 October representatives of Interbrew and Alken-Maes met in order to arrive at a concerted response to the request from Fedis." Original French.
(107) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV25 (doc. 37614 00549); reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02009); see also statement of objections, paragraph 84.
(108) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV19 (doc. 37614 00543); Annexes 31 and 32 to Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01942-01952); Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02009).
(109) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000, and especially Annex 41 to that letter (doc. 37614 7882, 8506-8507), with references to the following documents: Annexes 31 and 32 to Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01942-01952); inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, documents AvW12, MV3, MV4 and MV13 (doc. 37614 00121-00130, 00385, 00386-00403, 00472-00493).
(110) "À son retour, Monsieur ... expose la position d'Interbrew concernant la politique tarifaire à Monsieur ... Monsieur ... prend note qu'il faut un 'accord de principe avec Interbrew pour le 10 février 1996'. Dans une note de la main de Monsieur ..., il note que l'étude tarifaire doit comprendre trois dimensions: logistique, purement tarifaire et commerciale. Une note de Monsieur ... met en place un plan d'action au sein d'Alken-Maes et identifie les responsabilités de certains employés pour chaque aspect de l'étude afin de réagir rapidement à l'initiative d'Interbrew. Il est aussi décidé ... d'introduire la nouvelle tarification d'Alken-Maes au plus tôt le 1er janvier 1998, sur base d'une analyse du comportement des clients en 1997. Il y a sans doute eu une autre réunion entre Messieurs ... et ... en janvier ou en février. Des notes manuscrites de Monsieur ... résument la position d'Interbrew concernant la structure des prix, les ristournes et la logistique. Dans une note du 15 février, le consultant Martichoux résume une conversation avec Monsieur ... concernant l'avancement de l'étude tarifaire chez Interbrew. Le 1er mars, Martichoux présente son étude à Alken-Maes, dans laquelle il est noté qu'un accord avec Interbrew est possible sur la structure des prix et sur le calendrier. La note de présentation précise aussi qu'un accord avec Interbrew facilitera la mise en place du futur système. Cette présentation est suivie d'une autre les 15 et 16 avril 1996. Monsieur ... apprend qu'Interbrew introduirait sa nouvelle tarification le 1er janvier 1997. Monsieur ... demande à Monsieur ... d'accélérer la mise en place d'un nouveau système de tarification afin de pouvoir l'introduire à la même date." See also statement of objections, paragraph 86.
(111) Letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 25 to that letter (doc. 37614 7483, 7518); see also statement of objections, paragraph 87.
(112) Heineken's reply to request for information, 11.5.2000.
(113) Original English.
(114) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, documents AvW11, MV5 and FK2-13 (doc. 37614 00117-00120, 00404-00407, 00557-00563); Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999, and especially Annexes 33 and 34 to that reply (doc. 37614 01391, 01953-01965); Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02009); Annexes I.4 and I.5 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02613, 02617).
(115) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7882-7883).
(116) "Lors de cette réunion, les participants discutent des mérites d'un tarif hiérarchisé, d'une politique de ristournes plus transparente et des aspects logistiques de la nouvelle tarification. Il apparaît qu'Alken-Maes est partisane d'un tarif logistique ouvert, alors qu'Interbrew ne désire pas appliquer un tarif transparent vis-à-vis de tous ses clients. Le procès-verbal de cette réunion, rédigé par Monsieur ..., indique que les deux concurrents estiment devoir examiner 'l'aspect juridique' dans l'hypothèse où ils 'commenceraient ensemble' le 1er janvier 1997 et si les deux systèmes 'se ressemblent trop'. Un document interne d'Alken-Maes du 6 mai concernant la nouvelle structure tarifaire se réfère aussi à des discussions avec Interbrew. Le 7 mai, Monsieur ...donne pour instruction à Monsieur ... de prendre contact avec Monsieur ..., suite à un accord entre Messieurs ... et ... selon lequel ce dernier invite Alken-Maes à s'informer de son tarif. Monsieur ... indique aussi à Monsieur ... qu'il doit analyser le système d'Interbrew, et que l'aide de Martichoux n'est plus nécessaire car il veut utiliser le 'même cadre' et se baser sur le système tarifaire d'Interbrew." See also statement of objections, paragraph 88.
(117) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document AvW11 (doc. 37614 00117-00120); see also statement of objections, paragraph 89.
(118) Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999, and especially Annexes 35 and 36 to that reply (doc. 37614 01391, 01966-01971); Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02010); Annexes I.4 and I.5 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614, 02613, 02617); see also statement of objections, paragraph 90.
(119) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, documents AvW17, 3PS2 and MV7 (doc. 37614 00145-00147, 00354-00356, 00410-00412); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7883).
(120) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7883-7884), with references to the following documents: inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, documents AVW36 (doc. 37614 00235-00241) and MV8 to MV11 (doc. 00413-00459).
(121) Original French: "Le 11 juin, Interbrew écrit à tous ses clients, dont Alken-Maes, pour leur signifier l'introduction de ses nouvelles conditions générales et de sa nouvelle tarification au 1er janvier 1997. Le 26 juin, une note de présentation de Martichoux se réfère à des contacts entre Alken-Maes et Interbrew, et analyse l'attitude qu'Alken-Maes doit adopter face aux nouvelles conditions d'Interbrew. Le 3 juillet, une note interne d'Alken-Maes, rédigée par Monsieur ... concernant les mérites respectifs d'un tarif 'franco' et d'un tarif 'départ', fait référence à des commentaires de Monsieur ... (Interbrew) concernant la nouvelle tarification d'Interbrew. Le 5 juillet, Martichoux fait une présentation à Alken-Maes concernant la possibilité d'introduire un 'tarif départ' ... Le 25 juillet, Alken-Maes décide de ne pas introduire de tarif 'base départ' suite à l'abandon du même projet par Interbrew." See also statement of objections, paragraph 91.
(122) Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999, and especially Annexes 37 and 38 to that reply (doc. 37614 01373, 01383, 01972-01975); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000, and especially Annex 42 to that letter (doc. 37614 7884, 8509-8513); see also statement of objections, paragraph 92.
(123) Annex 42 to Interbrew letter of 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 8512). Original Dutch.
(124) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000, and especially Annexes 42 and 43 to that letter (doc. 37614 7884, 8513, 8528-8530), with references to the following documents: inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document AvW19 (doc. 37614 00150-00153) and document MV17 (doc. 37614 00532-00541); see also statement of objections, paragraph 93.
(125) Inspection at the offices of Interbrew, document MV18 (doc. 37614 8844-8845); see also statement of objections, paragraph 94.
(126) Original English.
(127) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7884).
(128) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document DvE6 (doc. 37614 00271); Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02010-02011, 02115) and especially Annex B25 to that reply; Annexes I.1 and I.4 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02595, 02613); Annex 10 to Interbrew letter of 2.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7443); letter from Interbrew, 8.2.2000, and especially Annex 32 to that letter (doc. 37614 7484, 7525); letter from Interbrew, 28.2.2000, and especially Annex 7 to that letter (doc. 37614 7553, 7589-7592); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7884); Annex 22 to Danone's reply to request for information, 10.5.2000 (doc. 37614 9896-9898); see also statement of objections, paragraph 97.
(129) Annex I.4 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02609-02614); Annex 10 to Interbrew letter of 2.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7442-7447); see also statement of objections, paragraph 98. Original Dutch.
(130) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document 2PS2 (doc. 37614 00318-00320); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7884-7885).
(131) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document 2PS1 (doc. 37614 00316-00317); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7885).
(132) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document AvW25 (doc. 37614 00208-00212); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7885).
(133) "Logistical pricing" means the aspect of pricing that is determined by customers' "logistical behaviour", and is related to the costs incurred by the brewer that depend on that behaviour; a customer might for example place a large number of small orders, or only a few large orders. "Commercial pricing" covers the rest of the price.
(134) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7885); see also statement of objections, paragraph 102.
(135) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7885).
(136) Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999, and especially Annex II to that reply (doc. 37614 02011, 02015-02016); Annex I.3 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02607-02608).
(137) Annex 21 to Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01859); Annex 12 to Interbrew letter of 2.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7452); see also statement of objections, paragraph 105.
(138) Annex II to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02015-02016); see also paragraph 106 of the statement of objections.
(139) Original French: 'respect des obligations et droit de livraison, régulation des investissements, attitude/actions envers pratiques petits brasseurs et private labels (...)'.
(140) Annex I.3 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02607-02608); see also statement of objections, paragraph 107. Original Dutch.
(141) Annex 21 to Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01859); see also statement of objections, paragraph 107. Original Dutch.
(142) Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02586-02590); see also statement of objections, paragraph 109. Original Dutch.
(143) Annex I.3 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.1999 (doc. 37614 02605-02608); see also statement of objections, paragraph 110. Original Dutch.
(144) Annex I.4 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02610-02614); see also statement of objections, paragraph 111. Original Dutch.
(145) Annex 10 to Interbrew letter of 2.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7443-7447); see also statement of objections, paragraph 111. Original Dutch.
(146) Annex I.5 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02616-02618); see also statement of objections, paragraph 112. Original Dutch.
(147) Annex 12 to Interbrew letter of 2.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7451-7454). Original Dutch.
(148) Letter from Interbrew, 29.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7696-7697).
(149) Original English.
(150) Letter from Alken-Maes, 27.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02521-02523); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7880).
(151) Original French: "un pacte de non-agression, de limitation des investissements commerciaux dans le domaine de l'horeca et de la publicité extérieure, et une concertation tarifaire. La bonne application de l'accord aurait fait l'objet d'une procédure de consultation régulière directement entre les dirigeants des deux sociétés."
(152) Original French: "Il y a eu de nombreuses réunions entre des collaborateurs d'Alken-Maes et principalement Monsieur ..., alors administrateur délégué, entre 1992 et 1998 avec des collaborateurs d'Interbrew, principalement Messieurs ... et ..., durant lesquelles la distribution et la vente de bière en Belgique ont fait l'objet d'une concertation"; see also statement of objections, paragraph 114.
(153) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, documents FK2-1 (doc. 37614 00597), NvHR 4 to 26 (doc. 37614 00599-01038); Annexes 1 to 11 to Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01406-01845); Annexes III and A 1 to 3 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02017-02029).
(154) Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02587) and Annex 18 to Interbrew letter of 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 07682); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 07868-07885).
(155) Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01370-01374); Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01982-01983).
(156) Annexes I.5 and I.6 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02615-02622).
(157) Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01370-01371); Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999, and especially Annex A.1 to that reply (doc. 37614 01982, 02022).
(158) Annex A.2 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02023-02024).
(159) Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999 (doc. 37614 01371); inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document NvHR26 (doc. 37614 01033-01038).
(160) Pils, non-alcoholic beers, light beers, table beers, premium Pils, amber ales, abbey and Trappist beers, gueuze and fruit beers, sour beers, white beers, strong golden ales, regional beers, and English-style ales.
(161) Annex A.3 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02025-02029).
(162) See Annex III to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999; the memo is dated 12.7.1999, and concerns information for June 1999 (doc. 37614 02017-02021).
(163) Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999, and especially Annex 10 to that reply (doc. 37614 01371 and 01834).
(164) Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999, and especially Annex 11 to that reply (doc. 37614 01371 and 01842-01845).
(165) Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 10.12.1999, and especially Annex 40 to that reply (doc. 37614 01373-01374 and 01978).
(166) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7848-7865).
(167) Original French: "le 8 septembre 1997, suite à la demande de Monsieur ..., Monsieur ... a rencontré Messieurs ... et ... d'Interbrew au restaurant Le Roi d'Espagne à Bruxelles afin d'examiner la meilleure façon de prendre en compte les ventes des produits sous marques de distributeurs dans les données statistiques échangées mensuellement entre Interbrew et Alken-Maes. Lors de cette rencontre, la segmentation générale des données a aussi été discutée. D'après Monsieur ..., cette réunion fait suite à l'entrée par Interbrew dans le segment de la production de bière vendue sous des marques de distributeurs. Interbrew désirait pouvoir suivre l'évolution de sa part des ventes dans ce segment, dans lequel elle espérait obtenir la même part que pour ses ventes de bière sous ses marques propres." See also statement of objections, paragraph 121.
(168) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document NvHR26 (doc. 37614 00963-00965).
(169) Annex to Alken-Maes letter of 5.11.1999 to European Commission (doc. 37614 01343-01345). Original Dutch: "dat we op 27 oktober 1999 hebben beslist het mededelen van onze maandelijkse verkoopcijfers stop te zetten".
(170) Annex I.1 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 to European Commission (doc. 37614 02586-02587); see also statement of objections, paragraph 124. Original Dutch.
(171) Fax from European Commission, 21.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02675-02681).
(172) Annex 2 to Interbrew letter to European Commission, 2.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7333-7337); see also statement of objections, paragraph 125. Original Dutch.
(173) Annex I.4 to Interbrew letter to European Commission, 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02610-02611); see also statement of objections, paragraph 126. Original Dutch.
(174) Letter from Interbrew, 29.2.2000, with an Annexed statement by the company dated 28.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7689-7700).
(175) Original English.
(176) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000, and especially Annexes 1 to 30 to that letter (doc. 37614 7873-7879, 7889-8064).
(177) See also statement of objections, paragraph 129.
(178) See also statement of objections, paragraph 130.
(179) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000, and especially Annex 31 to that letter (doc. 37614 7879, 8065-8067).
(180) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK18 (doc. 37614 01275-01283). Original Dutch.
(181) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK16 (doc. 37614 01268-01272); Annex 32 to Alken-Maes letter of 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 8069-8072). Original Dutch.
(182) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7879).
(183) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK15 (doc. 37614 01266-01267).
(184) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, documents ROK 13 (doc. 37614 01255) en ROK14 (doc. 37614 01256-01265).
(185) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK12 (doc. 37614 01230-01254).
(186) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK10 (doc. 37614 01222-01224).
(187) Annex 12 to CBB's reply to request for information, 24.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02226). Original Dutch.
(188) Annex 12 to CBB's reply to request for information, 24.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02222).
(189) Annex II to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02014); see also recital 58 above.
(190) Original English.
(191) Annexes B5, B9 and B11 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02041-02043, 02062-02063, 02066); see also recitals 58 and 66 above.
(192) Annex 36 to Alken-Maes letter of 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 8363-8443).
(193) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK8 (doc. 37614 01214-01216); inspection at the offices of Interbrew, document MV11 (doc. 37614 8802-8804).
(194) Annex 15 to CBB's reply to request for information, 24.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02493).
(195) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK7 (doc. 37614 01211-01213); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7880); see also statement of objections, paragraph 139.
(196) Original French: "4. Investissements dans les articles publicitaires: (verres et sous-bocs), (Président: ...), But: *éviter la concurrence dans ce domaine, *harmonisation, 5. Gestion de la tarification franco/enlèvement, (Président: ...), But: *situation dans les pays limitrophes et possibilité d'harmonisation, *'mise au point' des indemnités logistiques, *fixation des normes pour transporteurs, 6. Investissements dans des points de vente: (Présidents: ... et ...), But: *recommandations concrètes, *problèmes et opportunités".
(197) Annex 15 to CBB's reply to request for information, 24.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02493-02513).
(198) Original French: "Établir le rôle de chaque maillon de la chaîne de distribution; Établir un cadre qui rémunérera correctement chaque partenaire en fonction du rôle effectif qu'il joue".
(199) Annexes 14 and 15 to CBB's reply to request for information, 24.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02490-02513); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000, and especially Annex 38 to that letter (doc. 37614, 7880, 8444-8493); see also statement of objections, paragraph 140.
(200) Letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7880).
(201) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK6 (doc. 37614 01208-01210).
(202) Annex B19 to Interbrew's reply to request for information, 23.12.1999 (doc. 37614 02093); see also recital 73 above; see also statement of objections, paragraph 143.
(203) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document ROK5 (doc. 37614 01200-01207).
(204) Original French: "Les mesures reprises dans ce document ne pourront être envisagées que sous réserve de leur conformité à la législation belge et européenne." See also statement of objections, paragraph 144.
(205) Inspection at the offices of Alken-Maes, document MV12 (doc. 37614 00460-00471); letter from Alken-Maes, 7.3.2000 (doc. 37614 7881); see also statement of objections, paragraph 145. Original Dutch.
(206) Annex 11 to Interbrew letter of 2.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7449); see also statement of objections, paragraph 145.
(207) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document CD2 (doc. 37614 01126-01127).
(208) Annex I.3 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02608); see also statement of objections, paragraph 146. Original Dutch.
(209) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, documents CD1 and CD3 (doc. 37614 01125, 01128-01135).
(210) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, documents WJ3 (doc. 37614 01076-01077) and CD4 (doc. 37614 01136-01141).
(211) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, documents WJ1, WJ2 (doc. 37614 1074-1077) and CD7 (doc. 37614 01151-01155).
(212) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document WJ1 (doc. 37614 01071-01073).
(213) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document WJ9 (doc. 37614 01089-01090).
(214) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document CD8 (doc. 37614 01156-01161).
(215) Inspection at the offices of the CBB, document WJ6 (doc. 37614 01082-01084), CD 9 and CD 10 (doc. 37614 01162-01168).
(216) These agreements are discussed here to the extent that they relate to deliveries of private-label beer on the Belgian market.
(217) Annex I.5 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02615-02618); Annexes 12 and 13 to Interbrew letter of 2.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7450-7456); replies to requests for information from Alken-Maes, 5.4.2000 (doc. 37614 8920-8934), Haacht, 5.4.2000 (doc. 37614 8951-8952), and Martens, 6.4.2000 (doc. 37614 8953-8954); see also statement of objections, paragraph 154.
(218) Annex I.5 to Interbrew letter of 14.1.2000 (doc. 37614 02615-02618); Annexes 12 and 13 to Interbrew letter of 2.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7450-7456); see also statement of objections, paragraph 155. Original Dutch.
(219) See footnote 216.
(220) See footnote 216. Original Dutch.
(221) Annexes 3 and 4 to Alken-Maes's reply to request for information, 5.4.2000 (doc. 37614 8930-8934). Original Dutch.
(222) See also statement of objections, paragraph 158.
(223) Letter from Interbrew, 29.2.2000 (doc. 37614 7697).
(224) Original English.
(225) Danone refers here in particular to the memo from Interbrew's general manager for Belgium dated 12.7.1995 (recital 78).
(226) Here Danone cites particular statements made by Interbrew employees (recital 113).
(227) See footnote 23.
(228) See footnote 23.
(229) Case C-199/92 P Hüls v Commission (1999) ECR I-4287.
(230) Case C-7/95 P John Deere v Commission (1998) ECR I-3111.
(231) Decision 84/405/EEC (IV/30.350), OJ L 220, 17.8.1984, p. 27.
(232) OJ C 372, 9.12.1997, p. 13.
(233) Decision 96/438/EC (IV/34.983), OJ L 181, 20.7.1997, p. 28.
(234) See footnote 23.
(235) See, inter alia, the judgment of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities in Joined Cases T-305/94 etc. Limburgse Vinyl Maatschappij v Commission (PVC II) (1999) ECR II-931, paragraph 715.
(236) Judgment of the Court of Justice in Case 48/69 Imperial Chemical Industries v Commission (1972) ECR 619, paragraph 64.
(237) Judgment of the Court of Justice in Joined Cases 40-48/73 etc. Suiker Unie v Commission (1975) ECR 1663; judgment of the Court of First Instance in Joined Cases T-202/98, 204/98 and 207/98 Tate & Lyle v Commission, not yet reported.
(238) See also the judgment of the Court of First Instance in Case T-7/89 Hercules v Commission (1991) ECR II-1711, paragraph 255.
(239) Judgment in Hüls, paragraphs 161-163, see footnote 229.
(240) Judgment in Hercules, paragraph 264; see footnote 238.
(241) Judgment in Limburgse Vinyl Maatschappij, paragraph 696; see footnote 235.
(242) Judgment in Case C-49/92 P Commission v Anic Partecipazioni (1999) ECR I-4125, paragraph 81.
(243) Judgment in Anic, paragraph 83, see footnote 242.
(244) See Annex I to this Decision.
(245) Request for information dated 14 April 2000 (doc. 37614 9723) and reply from Heineken dated 11 May 2000 (doc. 37614 9947).
(246) Annex to Danone's reply to the statement of objections.
(247) Annex L-7b to Interbrew's letter of 28 February 2000 (doc. 37614 8996-9025).
(248) I.e. not including "national customers", such as catering firms.
(249) Original English.
(250) See also Commission Decision of 10 July 1986 (IV/31.371 - Roofing felt), OJ L 232, 19.8.1986, p. 15.
(251) Judgment in Hüls, paragraph 155; see footnote 229.
(252) Judgment in Hüls, paragraph 162; see footnote 229.
(253) Judgment in Anic, paragraph 127; see footnote 242.
(254) See footnote 232.
(255) See the judgment of the Court of Justice in Case 123/83 BNIC v Guy Clair (1985) ECR 391 and the judgment of the Court of First Instance in Joined Cases T-68/89, T-77/89 and T-78/89 Società Italiana Vetro v Commission (1992) ECR II-1403.
(256) Judgment of the Court of Justice in Case 42/84 Remia v Commission (1985) ECR 2545, paragraph 22.
(257) Judgment of the Court of First Instance in Case T-13/89 Imperial Chemical Industries v Commission (1992) ECR II-1021, paragraph 304.
(258) Judgment of the Court of Justice in Joined Cases 209 to 215 and 218/78 Van Landewyck v Commission (1980) ECR 3125, paragraphs 171 to 173.
(259) Judgment in Van Landewyck, paragraphs 171 to 173; see footnote 258.
(260) See the judgment of the Court of Justice in Joined Cases 89/85, 104/85, 116/85, 117/85, and 125-129/85 Wood pulp (1988) ECR 5193, paragraphs 24 to 27.
(261) OJ C 9, 14.1.1998, p. 3.
(262) Judgment of the Court of Justice in Case T-309/94 KNP BT v Commission (1998) ECR II-1007, paragraph 45 et seq.; this part of the judgment was upheld by the Court of Justice on appeal - see Case C-248/98 P KNP BT v Commission (2000) ECR I-9641.
(263) The effects on the market are crucial to the determination of the severity of the fine only when one is dealing with agreements which do not directly have as their object the restriction of competition and which are not therefore liable to fall within the scope of application of Article 81(1) except as a result of their actual effects (opinion of Advocate General Mischo in Case C-283/98 P Mo och Domsjö v Commission (2000) ECR I-9855). As already established above, the complex of agreements between Interbrew and Alken-Maes/Danone is by nature restrictive of competition, which means that the extent to which competition is restricted by the cartel does not have to be established separately (section 6.4).
(264) Commission Decision 84/388/EEC (IV/30.988 - Agreements and concerted practices in the flat-glass sector in the Benelux countries), OJ L 212, 8.8.1984, p. 13; Commission Decision 74/292/EEC (IV/400/EEC - Agreements between manufacturers of glass containers), OJ L 160, 17.6.1974, p. 1.
(265) Judgment of the Court of First Instance in Case T-141/94 Thyssen Stahl v Commission (1999) ECR II-347, paragraph 617.
(266) At least until 2.5.1996, see Danone's website (www.danonegroup.com) and the company's reply to the statement of objections, 30.11.2000.
(267) Annex 28 to Danone's reply to the request for information, 10.5.2000 (doc. 37614 09915-09938).
(268) Decision 1999/271/EC (IV 34.466 - Greek ferries), OJ L 109, 27.4.1999, p. 24.
(269) See, for example, Commission Decision 94/815/EC (IV/33.126 and 33.322 - Cement), OJ L 343, 30.12.1994, p. 1; Commission Decision 94/599/EC (IV/31.865 - PVC), OJ L 239, 14.9.1994, p. 14; and Commission Decision of 8 December 1999 (IV/E1/35.860 B Seamless steel tubes, not yet published).
(270) Judgment of the Court of Justice in Joined Cases 96-102, 104, 105, 108 and 110/82 IAZ v Commission (1983) ECR 3369.
(271) "Without denying the existence of the events that occurred during the period in question, in so far as they are in part based on the information provided by Alken-Maes's representatives to the Commission's officials (...)" ("Sans contester l'existence des faits intervenus dans la période en cause dans la mesure où ceux-ci sont en partie fondés sur les informations fournies par les représentants d'Alken-Maes aux agents de la Commission (...)") (Danone); "Alken-Maes does not dispute the reality of the contacts and practices between Interbrew and Alken-Maes during the period covered by the statement of objections, in so far as they are in part based on the information provided by the representatives of Alken-Maes itself to the Commission's officials" ("Alken-Maes ne conteste pas la matérialité des contacts et pratiques entre Interbrew et Alken-Maes durant la période couverte par la Communication des griefs (la 'CG') dans la mesure où ceux-ci sont en partie fondés sur les informations fournies par les représentants d'Alken-Maes elle-même aux agents de la Commission") (Alken-Maes).
(272) Judgment of the Court of First Instance in Case T-309/94 KNP BT v Commission (1998) ECR II-1007, paragraph 45 et seq.
(273) Judgments of the Court of Justice in Case 19/77 Miller v Commission (1978) ECR 131, paragraph 18, and Case C-279/87 Tipp-Ex v Commission (1990) ECR I-261; judgment of the Court of First Instance in Joined Cases T-202/98, T-204/98 and T-207/98 Tate & Lyle v Commission, not yet reported.
(274) In determining the severity of the fine, the effects on the market are crucial only when one is dealing with agreements which do not directly have as their object the restriction of competition and which are not therefore liable to infringe Article 81(1) except as a result of their actual effects (opinion of Advocate General Mischo in Mo och Domsjö, see footnote 263). As already shown above, the private-label cartel is by nature restrictive of competition, which means that the extent of the restriction of competition as a result of the cartel does not have to be established separately (section 6.4).
(275) See footnote 233.
(276) Judgment of the Court of Justice in Joined Cases 32 and 36 to 82/78 BMW Belgium v Commission (1979) ECR 2435.
(277) Judgment of the Court of Justice in Joined Cases 96 to 102, 104, 105, 108 and 110/82 IAZ v Commission (1983) ECR 3369.
