In view of the importance placed on innovation in the European Union, it is essential that the competition framework encourage the dissemination of technology, which is of critical importance for growth. Unjustified regulatory constraints on the transfer of technology are likely to result in a sub-optimal level of consumer welfare, an inefficient allocation of resources and stifled innovation.

In 2009, the task force prepared several policy documents on the issue of vertical restraints in view of the European Commission’s planned reform of the Block Exemption Regulation on Vertical Restraints:

• The EC Block Exemption on Vertical Restraints provides a list of possible areas for reform.
• The Review of EC competition rules applicable to vertical agreements highlights the main suggested changes and missed opportunities in the European Commission’s proposal for revision.

Other papers developed by the task force address topics such as horizontal agreements, in particular information exchange and standardization, as well as exclusionary abuses.

The task force is chaired by Jacques Bourgeois, Legal Consultant, Antitrust and Competition, at Wilmerhale in Brussels.