Agreements to block parallel imports
According to the Age today, a number of (fashion) importers have agreed with their overseas manufacturers that the manufacturers will not supply orders to online purchasers in Australia:
Importers close door on overseas online stores by Rachel Wells.
The Gerry Harvey-esque arguments about how GST makes local retailers uncompetitive get a run again but, as previously noted, Prof. Gans is not convinced by that (in the context of digital downloads).
This announcement seems like particularly good timing given Senator Conroy’s plans to have somebody inquire into something.
Maybe this is not exclusive dealing in contravention of s 47 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 because does not have the purpose, and it is not likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition, but:
(a) I hope they talked to the lawyers before they started making what might be thought of as “admissions”; and
(b) the record companies didn’t get away with the argument.
I guess we can look forward to some further instalments in this story.
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