Archive for October 20th, 2009
First Ever Hollywood Competition Law Movie?
For those of you who are brave enough to take an additional drop of competition law stuff over the WE (if you’re reading this you’re probably within the category), rush to the theatre watch ‘The Informant’.
This movie -directed by Steve Sodenbergh and based on Kurt Echenwald’s book- tells the story of the DOJ’s investigation inthe lysine cartel from the perspective of the executive who blew the wisthle, Mark Whitacre (played by Matt Damon).
The lysine cartel was also sanctioned in Europe, and in fact Whitacre is also a relevant character in the Commission’s decision (see paragraphs 336-341).
You may already have watched the videos of the cartel’s meetings, taped thanks to Whitacre. In case you haven’t, the transcripts are available here in different segments: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (the part in segment one where they joke about the FBI and the FTC being present at the meeting is particularly good).
P.S. If Nicolas keeps recommending books and I get started with movies we might build a “leisure time” section for all competition geeks.
New Book on Standard of Review in Competition Law and Economic Regulation
Oda Essens, Anna Gerbrandy and Saskia Lavrijssen (Utrecht University) have just edited a new book entitled National Courts and the Standard of Review in Competition Law and Economic Regulation (Europa Law Publishing). Once more, I cannot say much of this book because I am conflicted (I co-authored the Chapter on French judicial review).
Yet, the overall topic of the book is extremely interesting. In a nutshell, the whole point is to assess whether the ECJ’s Tetra Laval ruling, and the specific standard of review it encapsulates, has had repercussions on national judicial review practices. Congratulations to the editors for bringing this project to completion.
Chillin'Competition 