ACCC

A judge has slapped a 4WD rental company that made “harsh and unjustified threats” against customers who challenged its decision to retain their security deposits with a $1.2 million fine.

A judge has found that a clause in Apple’s agreement with developers requires that Fortnite game developer Epic Games litigate a closely watched competition lawsuit against the tech giant on its home turf. 

Volkswagen has lost its challenge to a landmark $125 million Dieselgate penalty handed down by a judge who lambasted a $75 million fine proposed by the ACCC as “manifestly inadequate”, in what ACCC chair Rod Sims told Lawyerly was a “turning point” for the regulator to push for higher fines.

The prosecution in a criminal cartel case against several banks and high-ranking executives over a $2.5 billion ANZ share placement has fought back against accusations that its indictment is “fundamentally flawed” and should be quashed.

The ACCC has given the greenlight to NAB’s proposed acquisition of digital only bank 86 400, saying the tie-up would not substantially lessen competition.

Brisbane-based sporting goods wholesaler FE Sports has been fined $350,000 for engaging in resale price maintenance that prohibited dealers from advertising certain products for less than the recommended retail price.

The Full Federal Court has ruled that unconscionable conduct under the Australian Consumer Law is not confined to exploitation of vulnerable parties, in an “extremely significant” judgment that will extend the reach of the unconscionable conduct provisions and protect a wider swathe of consumers.

Peters Ice Cream has denied claims by the ACCC that it signed an agreement for the exclusive distribution of its single serve ice creams to service stations and convenience stores in order to ice competitors out of the market, saying competitors had many options for serving up their frozen treats to ice cream lovers.

Whistleblower JPMorgan can’t be a witness in a criminal cartel case over a $2.5 billion ANZ share placement that has ensnared several investment banks and top executives and claim privilege over witness statements relevant to the case, a court has heard.

The Acting Attorney-General has made two appointments to the Federal Court, including the barrister representing ASIC in its high-stakes cases against Rio Tinto and GetSwift.