Anti-competitive violation when disparaging a competitor - Competition law

Anti-competitive violation when disparaging a competitor - Competition law
Kurzfassung: If someone makes disparaging remarks about a competitor to its employees, this can give rise to an anti-competitive violation.
Anti-competitive violation when disparaging a competitor - Competition law GRP Rainer LLP
[GRP Rainer LLP Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater - 24.10.2013] GRP Rainer Lawyers and Tax Advisors in Cologne, Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Dusseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart and London www.grprainer.com/en conclude: In the instant case, an employee of a company contacted employees of a competitor via a social network for work-related contact. In the process, he expressed himself in a way that in the eyes of the competing company these statements could be categorised as derisive. Moreover, attempts were made to entice the employees away. The courts then had to deal with the question of whether this constituted an anti-competitive violation. While the District Court of Heidelberg answered this in the negative, the Regional Court (LG) of Heidelberg found in favour of the competitor (Az.: 1 S 58/11).

The selected statements could absolutely be construed as disparaging vis-à -vis the competitor, according to the judges' view. It was particularly stressed that the very negative depiction of its qualities as a company and also as an employer had no objective basis. This constituted disproportionate encroachment of the legitimate interest in a reasonable public image. The LG therefore acted on the assumption of an anti-competitive violation within the meaning of the Act against Unfair Competition (UWG).

The LG also dealt with the accusations of unfair headhunting. Thus, there was also a violation in this context of the UWG, since the company aimed at impeding the competitor by means of unfair headhunting. The crucial factor in distinguishing between permissible and impermissible headhunting is, in particular, the surrounding circumstances. Here, the headhunting was accompanied by a disparaging statement vis-à -vis the competitor, which is why it was unfair.

One normally only associates unfair competition and violations of the UWG with measures which are in direct connection with operational business. Advertising measures are therefore often criticised by competitors or consumer advocacy groups, yet remarks about employees of a competing company or headhunting attempts can also stand in the way of lawful competition.

Violations of the UWG can have far-reaching consequences for businesses concerned. Competitors can assert injunctive, compensatory or restitution claims against the profits gained. In the event of infringements on your part or an unfair course of action on the part of a competing company, one should turn to a lawyer active in the field of competition law. He can help you enforce claims or fend off accusations from competitors.

http://www.grprainer.com/en/Unfair-Competition.html
Weitere Informationen
GRP Rainer LLP Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater
GRP Rainer LLP Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater GRP Rainer LLP www.grprainer.com/en/ is an international firm of lawyers and tax advisors who are specialists in commercial law. The firm counsels commercial and industrial companies and corporations, as well as associations, small- and mid-sized businesses, self-employed freelancers and private individuals worldwide from offices Cologne, Berlin, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Munich, Stuttgart, Bremen, Nuremberg and London UK.
GRP Rainer LLP Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater, Herr Michael Rainer
Hohenzollernring 21-23, 50672 Cologne, Germany
Tel.: 0049 221-2722750; http://www.grprainer.com/en
Weitere Meldungen dieses Unternehmens
Erfolgreiche Pressearbeit eBook
Pressearbeit
Eine Pflichtlektüre für mehr Sichtbarkeit durch Pressemitteilungen.
Pressekontakt Herr Michael Rainer

GRP Rainer LLP Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater
Hohenzollernring 21-23
50672 Cologne
Germany

E-Mail:
Web:
Tel:
0049 221-2722750
Fax:
Drucken Weiterempfehlen PDF
Schlagworte
Permanentlinks https://www.prmaximus.de/93537

https://www.prmaximus.de/pressefach/grp-rainer-llp-rechtsanwälte-steuerberater-pressefach.html
Die Pressemeldung "Anti-competitive violation when disparaging a competitor - Competition law" unterliegt dem Urheberrecht. Jegliche Verwendung dieses Textes, auch auszugsweise, erfordert die vorherige schriftliche Erlaubnis des Autors. Autor der Pressemeldung "Anti-competitive violation when disparaging a competitor - Competition law" ist GRP Rainer LLP Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater, vertreten durch Michael Rainer.