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France: Antitrust agency fines 37 modeling agencies

By  |  September 29, 2016

The Autorité de la concurrence today issues a decision under which it fines the main professional union of modelling agencies, the SYNAM, for having, between 2000 and 2010, drawn up and distributed pricing schedules as a guide to modelling agencies’ commercial policy. Advertisers and couture houses could refer to these schedules when setting prices for filming, advertising photos and catwalk shows.

37 modelling agencies, representing almost the entire market turnover, are also fined for having participated in statutory meetings on union pricing schedules between 2009 and 2010.

In total, $2,669,000 in fines have been pronounced.

In calculating the fines, the Autorité de la concurrence particularly took into account the seriousness of the practices and the damage caused to the economy and finally, the Autorité took into account the financial difficulties encountered by several agencies, granting 3 agencies who did not contest the findings a 10% reduction in their fines.

Full Content: Autorite de la Concurrence

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