Jordan O'BrienDenon & Marantz and Pioneer are both being targeted by an antitrust investigation by the European Commission, with both firms accused of price manipulation.
Given the investigation has only just been launched, details regarding Denon & Marantz and Pioneer’s involvement in the so-called price manipulation are scant. The European Commission does claim that both firms were involved in restricting the ability of online retailers from setting their own prices on products.
This is just the latest antitrust investigation launched by the European Commission. IBM, Google and Microsoft have all previously been targeted. In the same day that Denon & Marantz and Pioneer were accused, Philips and Asus were also subject to claims by the European Commission that they too manipulated prices.
A Denon & Marantz spokesperson told CE Pro Europe: “Denon & Marantz notes the European Commission’s announcement on 2nd February 2017 that it has launched three separate investigations into various aspects of online sales practices across three sectors, including consumer electronics. As the Commission has made clear, the opening of proceedings does not prejudge the finding of an infringement. Denon & Marantz takes its compliance obligations seriously and will co-operate fully with the European Commission as the investigation unfolds.”