9th January 2009: Exclusive offers concerning contents by Internet Service Providers
The Conseil de la concurrence has received a request for opinion from the Government
Following questions asked by journalists from the print press, the Conseil de la concurrence can confirm that, in line with announcements made at the unveiling of the "France numérique 2012" ("Digital France 2012") plan on 20th October 2008, it received a request for opinion on 8th January from the Minister of Economy, Industry and Employment, in agreement with the Minister of Culture and Communication and the Secretary of State for the development of the digital economy. The request seeks the Conseil’s opinion on the exclusive relationships between the activities of Internet service provision and the distribution of content and services.
The Conseil will notably look at whether exclusive offers concerning contents, that electronic communications operators would reserve for their own subscribers, might induce anticompetitive effects or risks for competition in the sector, and will make recommendations intended to prevent them.
The Autorité de la concurrence, which will replace the Conseil de la concurrence will issue its opinion after consulting with ARCEP (the French Telecommunications and Posts Regulator) and CSA (the Broadcasting Regulator).