Press Release: Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of the Quelle trademark and other assets by Otto, subject to conditions

The European Commission cleared on 16 February 2010 under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of certain assets of the insolvent Primondo by Otto, both Germany-based home-shopping companies. Otto acquires trademarks, including the Quelle brand, trademark applications, internet domains and the right to use the Quelle customer data base for Germany. The decision is conditional upon the divestiture of trademarks and the granting of the right to use the Quelle customer data base under the same conditions as Otto and in compliance with the applicable data protection rules. Otto offered these commitments to remedy competition concerns identified by the Commission in several parts of the German home shopping market. In light of these commitments, the Commission has concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.