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Germany: Deutsche Bahn settlement could be landmark win for antitrust victims

By  |  September 18, 2013

A recent settlement offer by German railway giant Deutsche Bahn could pave the way for more consumers to earn compensation through antirust cases throughout the EU, say reports.

In part of a settlement offer, the state railway offered a 4 percent refund to consumers in efforts to end a probe launched against Deutsche Bahn following accusations the company abused its dominance and forced rivals to pay excess prices for electricity.

It’s a groundbreaking offer, say some experts, that could set a new precedent allowing consumers hurt by anticompetitive actions to receive compensation, not just within Germany but throughout the EU.

Reports say the European Commission has explored for years a way to introduce a plan to allow such compensation, and doing so through a settlement with antitrust authorities could be a step forward in establishing that plan.

Full Content: Bloomberg

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