ACCC

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has opened a phase 2 review into animal drug company Zoetis' proposed acquisition of Neogen's global animal genomic testing business, saying it would substantially lessen competition in the market for animal gene testing services.

Origin Energy has agreed to refund over $270,000 to 4,500 customers on its 'Ongoing Saver' residential electricity plan who were charged more than they would have been on the company's 'Basic' plan.  

A new ban on unfair trading practices could significantly broaden the scope of consumer class actions, with experts predicting plaintiff firms will use the reforms to pursue claims over conduct that has until now fallen outside the reach of misleading or deceptive conduct laws.

Though previously acknowledging it "could have been clearer" Microsoft has hit back at claims it duped millions of customers into upgrading to more expensive product plans, saying its cheaper, 'legacy' plan was only available to subscribers who sought to cancel.

Competition lawyers are watching with interest to see if Coles appeals the ACCC's decision to block its proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest in a site in Kalgoorlie, with a tribunal review to provide a valuable early test of the new merger regime.

A court has found that defunct printing cartridges supplier Beacon used deceptive sales tactics to dupe customers into paying for goods they did not order, in conduct described as "fundamentally dishonest”. 

Pauls Milk producer Lactalis has copped a penalty after the consumer regulator issued infringement notices for alleged misleading representations about the freshness of two of its products.

The competition regulator has opposed Coles Group's proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest in a Kalgoorlie supermarket and liquor store site, finding it would substantially lessen competition in the retail supply of groceries in the region.

The ACCC has opened a phase 2 review of calibration and asset management services provider Trescal's proposed acquisition of TechRentals Calibration & Sales after identifying potential risks to competition. 

The consumer regulator has brought proceedings against Amazon, alleging it relied on unfair contract terms in its Prime Video subscription contracts to introduce advertising to its streaming service.