Market Monopoly and Laws in India | 19 Jan 2024

Source: MC

Why in News?

Recently, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has dismissed a complaint against PVR, a leading multiplex chain, for allegedly abusing its Dominant Market Position, raising the Concern of Market Monopoly.

What were the Allegations and CCI’s Verdict?

• It was alleged that PVR abused its dominance by giving special treatment to films of powerful and monetarily affluent production houses, thus creating entry barriers to films by independent filmmakers.
  • PVR refuted the allegations, asserting they lacked supporting evidence, arguing that the complaint aimed to pressurise the exhibition of his film without any legal obligation.
• CCI found no discernible competition concerns. It emphasised that unless harm to competition was evident, regulatory intervention could lead to undesirable consequences, preserving exhibitors' autonomy.

What is Market Monopoly?

• About:
  • Market monopoly refers to a situation in which a single company or a group of companies dominates and controls a significant share of a particular market or industry.
  • In a monopoly, there is only one seller or producer that provides a specific product or service, and there are no close substitutes available to consumers.
  • This gives the monopolistic entity substantial market power, allowing it to influence the market conditions, set prices, and control the supply of goods or services.
• Features of Market Monopoly:
  • Single Seller or Producer:
    • In a monopoly, there is only one entity that dominates the entire market. This company is the exclusive provider of a particular product or service.
  • High Barriers to Entry:
    • Monopolies often arise when there are significant barriers preventing new competitors from entering the market. Barriers may include high startup costs, exclusive access to resources, government regulations, or strong brand loyalty.
  • No Substitutes:
    • Consumers have limited or no alternative options for the product or service offered by the monopolistic company. There are no close substitutes available in the market.
  • Market Power and Pricing Control:
    • The monopoly has considerable market power, allowing it to control prices without significant fear of competition. This can lead to higher prices for consumers and potentially reduced output.
  • Influence Over Supply:
    • The monopoly has control over the supply of the product or service. It can determine the quantity produced and adjust supply to impact market conditions.
  • Lack of Competition:
    • Due to the absence of competitors, monopolies operate in an environment where there is no direct competition for their specific product or service. This lack of competition can result in reduced incentives for innovation and efficiency.

How does India Deal with the Practices of Market Monopoly?

• Competition Act, 2002:
  • The Competition Act, 2002, is the primary legislation in India addressing antitrust issues. It was enacted to promote and sustain competition in markets, prevent anti-competitive practices, and protect the interests of consumers.
    • The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises, and regulates combinations that may have an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.
  • Competition Amendment Bill, 2022:
    • The proposed amendment aims to further strengthen the regulatory framework, address emerging challenges, and enhance the effectiveness of competition law enforcement.
• Competition Commission of India (CCI):
  • CCI is the regulator of competition under the Competition Act, 2002 in the Indian market, it is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Competition Act 2002. It consists of a Chairperson and Members appointed by the Central Government.
  • The CCI investigates and takes actions against anti-competitive practices, abuse of dominant position, and anti-competitive agreements.
• Competition Appellate Tribunal and NCLAT:
  • The Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) was initially responsible for hearing appeals against CCI decisions.
  • However, in 2017, the government replaced COMPAT with the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which now handles appeals related to competition matters.

What are the International Initiatives to Curb Anti-Competitive Practices?

• OECD Competition Committee:
  • The OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) addresses anti-competitive practices through various initiatives, including the OECD Competition Committee, which facilitates discussions and cooperation among member countries on competition-related issues.
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
  • UNCTAD works to promote international trade and development. It provides guidance on competition policy and law through its Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy, supporting countries in implementing effective competition frameworks.
    • It also deals with the polices to Protect consumers from abuse and Curb regulations that stifle competition.
• International Competition Network (ICN):
  • The ICN is a network of competition authorities from around the world. It facilitates communication and cooperation among member jurisdictions to address global competition challenges. The ICN provides a platform for sharing best practices and developing guidelines on various aspects of competition law.
• World Trade Organization (WTO):
  • While primarily focused on trade issues, the WTO addresses competition policy through its Working Group on the Interaction between Trade and Competition Policy.
    • The aim is to ensure that competition policies do not create unnecessary barriers to trade.

What are the Judgements Related to Market Monopoly in India?

• Competition Commission of India v. Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), 2010:
  • The SC upheld the CCI’s order to investigate SAIL for anti-competitive practices in supplying rails to Indian Railways.
  • SC ruled that SAIL was not exempt from the Competition Act and that its order was not appealable at the initial stage.
  • The Court also said that the CCI was a necessary or proper party in any appeal before the COMPAT.
• Competition Commission of India v. Google LLC & Ors, 2021:
  • CCI appealed against Karnataka HC's order, investigating alleged anti-competitive practices by Google in India's smart TV and Android app store markets.
  • The HC quashed CCI's order due to lack of jurisdiction and the absence of Google's opportunity to present its case.
  • The SC stayed CCI's investigation and issued notices to all parties involved.

Way Forward

• Continuously review and strengthen antitrust laws to ensure they are robust and able to address emerging challenges in the business environment. Regular updates can help the legal framework adapt to evolving market dynamics.
• Empower and adequately fund regulatory authorities, such as the Competition Commission, to effectively enforce antitrust laws. Authorities should be equipped to investigate, penalize, and deter anti-competitive behavior.
• Ensure transparent and efficient processes for reviewing mergers and acquisitions. A clear and thorough review helps prevent the creation or strengthening of monopolies through consolidation.