Mass distribution of legal information on companies: the General Rapporteur indicates that a report has been notified to two players in the sector

Two players in the sector for the mass distribution of legal and economic information on companies are accused of having implemented an anticompetitive agreement aimed at circumventing the objective of the legislator to foster competition in the sector, in particular by enabling new players to access certain information free of charge.

The General Rapporteur indicates that after having notified the objection in October 2023, a report was notified a few days ago.

Following the statement of objections, the investigative action of notifying the report therefore opens the second round of the inter partes proceedings and enables the parties to exercise their rights of defence. It does not prejudge the guilt of the companies that have received the statement of objections and the report. Only an inter partes investigation, respecting the rights of defence of the parties concerned, will enable the Board to determine, after exchanging written observations and following an oral hearing, whether the objections are well-founded.

The Autorité de la concurrence will not comment further on the practice in question.