How can I protect myself from legal consequences for violations of antitrust laws?
April 24, 2022 | 80,00 EUR | answered by Renate Germer
Dear lawyer,
I am reaching out to you because as a business owner in my industry, I am increasingly confronted with competition law issues and am unsure of how to protect myself from legal consequences in case of violations.
The current situation is that my company operates in a highly competitive industry where competition law violations and cartel problems occur frequently. Lately, some of my competitors have also made negative headlines for violating competition law.
The current state is therefore characterized by an uncertain legal situation and increased sensitivity to competition law regulations. I want to avoid my company getting into legal trouble and suffering damage to its reputation as a result.
My concerns mainly lie in not knowing exactly how to protect myself as a business owner from such violations. What measures can I take to ensure that my company acts in compliance with competition law and avoids any legal consequences?
Therefore, my question to you is: How can I protect myself from legal consequences in case of competition law violations? Are there specific measures that I can take as a business owner to protect my company from legal risks and what options are available to me to act in compliance with competition law?
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Best regards,
Otto Bergmann
Dear Mr. Bergmann,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding competition law. It is understandable that as a business owner in a competitive industry, you are concerned about potential violations of competition law and wish to avoid legal consequences. Indeed, it is important for companies to actively engage with this topic and take measures to protect themselves from legal risks.
To protect your company from legal consequences in case of competition law violations, it is important to first familiarize yourself with the relevant legal provisions. Competition law is regulated in the Act against Restraints of Competition (GWB) and prohibits agreements between companies that restrict competition. Therefore, it is important that you and your employees are informed about the applicable rules and comply with them.
An important step to protect against competition law violations is the implementation of a compliance program in your company. Through training and guidelines, you can ensure that your employees are informed about competition law regulations and act accordingly. Additionally, you should establish internal control mechanisms to detect and prevent possible violations early.
Furthermore, it is advisable to regularly review and, if necessary, adjust competition law-compliant behaviors. This includes reviewing contracts and business practices for potential competition law risks. If you have any uncertainties or questions, you can always contact a lawyer specializing in commercial law to receive a legal assessment.
Additionally, I recommend that you engage with your competitors and industry associations to stay informed about current developments in competition law. By proactively engaging with the topic, you can help minimize legal risks and protect your company from potential legal consequences.
I hope these tips will help you in addressing your competition law challenges. If you have any further questions or need legal advice, I am at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Renate Germer, Lawyer specializing in commercial law
