Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 19 May 2010 – Outokumpu and Luvata v Commission

(Case T-20/05)

Competition – Agreements, decisions and concerted practices – Copper plumbing tube industry – Decision finding an infringement of Article 81 EC – Fines – Size of the relevant market – Aggravating circumstance – Repeat infringement

1.                     Procedure – Introduction of new pleas during the proceedings – Conditions (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Arts 44(1) and 48(2)) (see paras 57-58)

2.                     Competition – Fines – Amount – Determination – Criteria – Gravity of the infringement – Aggravating circumstances – Repeat infringement (Art. 65 CS; Art. 81 EC; Council Regulation No 17, Art. 15(2); Commission Communication 98/C 9/03, para. 2) (see paras 61-63)

3.                     Competition – Fines – Amount – Determination – Criteria – Gravity of the infringement – Aggravating circumstances – Repeat infringement (Council Regulation No 17, Art. 15(2); Commission Communication 98/C 9/03, para. 2) (see paras 69-70)

4.                     Competition – Fines – Amount – Determination – Criteria – Gravity of the infringement – Size of the product market in question – To be taken into consideration (Council Regulation No 17, Art. 15(2)) (see para. 77)

Re:

APPLICATION for cancellation or reduction of the fine imposed on the applicants under Article 2(j) of Commission Decision C(2004) 2826 of 3 September 2004 relating to a proceeding pursuant to Article 81 [EC] and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (Case COMP/E-1/38.069 – Copper plumbing tubes).

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Outokumpu Oyj and Luvata Oy to pay the costs.