11 May – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – The European Commission clears the creation of two joint ventures between French electronics company Alcatel and Italian Defence and engineering company Finmeccanica, subject to conditions.
Linklaters has advised Alcatel on the competition aspects of its two joint ventures with Finmeccanica, to create Alcatel Alenia Space and Telespazio, specialising in the manufacturing of satellites and services. The deal, which was agreed in January 2005, was approved by the European Commission on 28 April 2005.
Alcatel Alenia Space, based in France, will concentrate on the manufacturing of satellite and equipment for commercial (e.g. telecommunications), institutional (e.g. scientific missions) and military applications; Telespazio, based in Italy, will provide space-related services such as the control of satellite systems.
The Linklaters team was led by Olivier d’Ormesson, EU & competition partner, in Paris. Other members of the team included Pierre Zelenko, Charles Pommiès and Taimse O’Leary.
Olivier d’Ormesson, Linklaters EU & competition partner, said:
“After long negotiations with the European Commission, the parties obtained the green light at the end of Phase 1 under the EC Merger Regulation. The EC’s clearance was subject to conditions, such as a complex and innovative commitments package including the licensing of radar altimeter technology and TTCs (Telemetry Tracking & Control or ‘TTC’). In addition, the parties committed to supply TTCs at prices controlled through an arbitration clause”.
