Hong Kong Takes Textbook Cartel Case To Competition Tribunal

The Hong Kong Competition Commission (Commission) on Wednesday, March 25, commenced proceedings in the Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) against three companies, namely T.H. Lee Book Commercial Press and Sino United Publishing and an individual Mr. Hui Chiu Ming, the General Manager of T.H. Lee Book Company.

The Commission alleges that the companies have contravened the First Conduct Rule of the Competition Ordinance (Ordinance) by engaging in price-fixing, market-sharing, and/or bid- rigging in relation to the sale of textbooks to students attending primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong (Cartel Arrangements). 

Although the Cartel Arrangements were arrived at prior to the full implementation of the Ordinance, the Companies had continued to give effect to the Cartel Arrangements and/or had engaged in them after the Ordinance came into full effect. As for Mr. Hui, the Commission alleges that he is a person involved in the Cartel Arrangements within the meaning of section 91 of the Ordinance.

Full Content: CompComm

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