ACCC

Making good on its promise to crack down on anti-competitive conduct in the commercial construction sector, the ACCC has initiated proceedings against NQ Cranes alleging the crane company entered an agreement with a competitor to divvy up the market for overhead crane parts and servicing in Brisbane and Newcastle.

The ACCC has taken a major wholesale supplier of sporting goods to court for allegedly setting minimum prices for cycling and sporting goods in its agreements with retailers.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has raised concerns about Alsco's proposed acquisition of commercial laundry business Spotless Garments, saying the combined entity would have few large competitors.

A court has ordered comparison website iSelect to pay $8.5 million in penalties for making misleading representations through its online electricity comparison service and pushing plans to consumers that were not necessarily best suited for them.

The ACCC has lost its case against Employsure alleging the specialist workplace relations consultancy duped small businesses into signing long-term contracts via several Google ads that promised free workplace advice which appeared to be government-affiliated.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has lost its appeal of a ruling that found Woolworths' environmental claims for its 'Select Eco' line of compostable plates, bowls and cutlery were accurate, not false and misleading.

Google has rejected claims by the ACCC that it tricked consumers into agreeing to expanded collection of their personal data, saying that it instead sought "explicit consent" from users through an "easy-to-understand opt-in consent mechanism".

A maritime development company has had its discovery hopes dashed in its stayed competition lawsuit against NSW Ports, with a judge finding that the company would not suffer any injustice in waiting until the stay is lifted after a similar case brought by the competition regulator is heard.

The Australian Competition Tribunal has shot down ACCC moves to restrict the use of buy now, pay later finance for the purchase of solar goods and other new energy technology products.

The ACCC has asked a court to impose a $3.5 million penalty against eyewear retailer Oscar Wylee for making misleading representations about its charitable donations and affiliations, including that it would donate one pair of eyeglasses to charity for every pair purchased.