NSW: Penalties for music companies to be decided next year

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2001
NSW: Penalties for music companies to be decided next year

A court will decide next year what penalties two of the world's leading music companies
should face for misusing their market power in Australia.

The Federal Court last week found Warner Music and Universal Music engaged in exclusive
dealing to prevent parallel imports of CDs.

Justice DONALD HILL's found their activity breached sections of the Trade Practices Act.

A hearing on what penalties the companies should face has been set down for February 1.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission began proceedings against the companies
in September 1999.

They alleged the companies had engaged in unlawful action to discourage or prevent
Australian businesses from selling competitively priced parallel imports of CDs.

In several cases it was alleged Warner and Universal had cut off supply to such retailers.

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