Taiwan Sogo Department Store complained as impeding fair competition
E020228X4 Apr. 2002（E32）
Dissatisfied with Sogo Department Store’s doings about restricting the locations of counters set up by stores, Breeze Center filed a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission (“FTC”) indicating that Sogo Department Store restricted transactions by improper means, and restricted and impeded fair competition.
Breeze Center recently submitted relevant materials to the FTC. Concerning the agreement signed by Sogo Department Store and stores, Article 14 of the agreement specifies that “To avoid improper competition,” Party B (Stores) shall not sell goods identical with or similar to those specified in the agreement, or render identical or similar service or business, in commercial areas located in 2-kilometer radius from Party A’s place without Party A’s consent. Breeze Center indicated that its main purpose of complaint was in the hope of keeping the industry in a reasonable environment for fair competition. Breeze Center pointed out that unreasonable doings for attacking competitors such as monopolizing and boycotting were unnecessary. It hoped that no similar situations would happen again.
With regard to the complaint filed by Breeze Center, Sogo Department Store indicated that it did sign the aforementioned agreement with stores. However, Sogo Department Store has never settled with stores because of the agreement.
Source: Commercial Times 02/28/2002
