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MDPPACPB Regulations
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70 (2) For the purpose of this Regulation, a conduct or arrangement “substantially lessens competition” if it materially and persistently reduces competitive rivalry or impairs the competitive structure of the relevant market. 85. Determination of Anti-Competitive or Discriminatory Conduct and Abuse of Market Power (1) The Authority shall consider the following as anti-competitive conduct, including but not limited to: (a) Horizontal agreements such as price-fixing, bid-rigging, market allocation, or output restriction; (b) Collusive tendering or manipulation of bidding processes; (c) Vertical restraints that have the effect of foreclosing competitors or harming consumer welfare. (2) Discriminatory conduct shall be deemed to occur where a licensee or operator: (a) Applies dissimilar conditions to equivalent transactions with other trading parties; (b) Places certain parties at a competitive disadvantage without objective justification. (3) Unlawful exercise of market power shall include any conduct by an undertaking with market power that prevents, restricts, or distorts competition, including: (a) Charging excessive or exploitative prices; (b) Engaging in predatory pricing or below-cost selling intended to exclude competitors; (c) Refusing to supply an essential input or access to critical infrastructure without objective justification; (d) Imposing unfair trading terms, contractual coercion, or abusive rebate structures; (e) Tying or bundling unrelated services in a manner that restricts market access or competition. 86. Determination of Practices Excluding, Deterring or Crippling Entry or Expansion In determining whether conduct constitutes exclusionary, deterring, or market- crushing behaviour, the Authority shall consider: (1) Evidence of predatory strategies designed to drive existing or potential competitors out of the market; (2) Practices aimed at raising rivals’ costs without efficiency justification; (3) Abuse or manipulation of regulatory processes to impose compliance burdens on competitors; (4) Exclusive dealing arrangements or loyalty-inducing rebates that substantially foreclose market access; (5) Unjustified refusal to grant access to essential facilities or infrastructure on fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory terms.
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