Digital piano and digital keyboard sector: anti-competitive practices 50565-2
The CMA has found anti-competitive practices in the digital piano and digital keyboard sector which infringe Chapter I CA98 and/or Article 101 TFEU.
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 8 October 2019 | Non-confidential infringement decision published |
| 1 August 2019 | Final infringement decision issued to party |
| July 2019 | Party offered to settle investigation with CMA |
| April to May 2019 | Written and oral representations on the statement of objections |
| 11 April 2019 | Statement of objections issued |
| November 2018 to April 2019 | Further investigation including information gathering. CMA analysis and review |
| October 2018 | Decision taken to proceed with the investigation |
| April 2018 to autumn 2018 | Initial investigation: information gathering, including issue of formal or informal information requests to parties. CMA analysis and review of information gathered. State of play meetings with parties under investigation |
| 17 April 2018 | Investigation opened |
Non-confidential infringement decision
8 October 2019: The CMA has published a non-confidential version of the decision in this case, in which Casio was fined £3.7 million for breaking competition law by engaging in resale price maintenance (RPM).
- (8.10.19)
More information on RPM is available in the CMA’s advice for retailers
Settlement and infringement decision
1 August 2019: The CMA issued a decision finding that Casio Electronics Co. Limited infringed competition law by engaging in resale price maintenance (RPM). The CMA imposed a fine of around £3.7 million. As the ultimate parent company of Casio Electronics Co. Limited for the relevant period, Casio Computer Co. Limited is jointly and severally liable for Casio Electronic Co. Limited’s fine. The fine includes a 20% discount to reflect savings due to the companies’ admissions and their co-operation with the CMA under a settlement agreement.
- Press release: Piano supplier fined £3.7m for illegally preventing price discounts (1.8.19)
The CMA has published advice to help businesses understand more about illegal RPM practices and compliance with competition law.
Statement of objections
On 11 April 2019, the CMA issued a statement of objections alleging that Casio Electronics Co. Ltd (Casio) has breached UK and EU competition law by restricting retailer freedom to discount digital pianos and digital keyboards supplied by Casio online.
- Press release: CMA alleges piano supplier illegally prevented price discounts (11.4.19)
Case information
On 17 April 2018, the CMA launched an investigation under Chapter I of the CA98 and Article 101 of the TFEU into suspected breaches of competition law by various parties. The investigations relate to alleged anti-competitive agreements and/or concerted practices in relation to musical instruments and equipment.
Further detail of the CMA’s procedures in antitrust cases is available in our guidance.
Personal data
The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the Competition Act 1998. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, please see the CMA’s Personal Information Charter.
Contacts
Assistant Project Director
Chris Dodds (020 3738 6717, chris.dodds@cma.gov.uk)
Project Director
Simon Nichols (020 3738 6368, simon.nichols@cma.gov.uk)
Senior Responsible Officer
Ann Pope (020 3738 6786, ann.pope@cma.gov.uk)
Last updated 8 October 2019 + show all updates
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Non-confidential infringement decision published.
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Settlement and infringement decision announced.
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Case timetable updated to reflect the decision to proceed with the investigation.
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First published.