CMA fines Fender for restricting
online sales of guitars
The Competition and Markets
Authority (CMA) has imposed a £4.5 million fine on Fender Musical Instruments
Europe for violations of EU and UK competition law by engaging in online resale
price maintenance (RPM) of its guitars.
The penalty includes a 60%
discount under the CMA’s leniency programme and a further 20% discount to
reflect settlement.
The fine is the largest that
the CMA has imposed to date in respect of RPM and follows its decision to fine
Casio £3.7 million for similar practices in relation to digital pianos and
keyboards.
More generally, the decision
affirms the CMA’s tough stance to RPM infringements. Since 2016, the CMA has fined a number of
companies for online RPM in the light fittings, bathroom fittings and
commercial refrigeration sectors. In 2018 the CMA issued 4 advisory letters and
34 warning letters about resale price maintenance.
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