Restrições verticais e defesa da concorrência: a experiência brasileira

Abstract

This article reviews the Brazilian competition policy with regard to vertical restraints. Although relativelyshort, the Brazilian experience is surprisingly rich and consistent, particularly in comparison with the quitevolatile U.S. enforcement towards vertical restraints, which ranged from severe interventions to an absolutelylenient approach. A significant number of the most important antitrust cases in Brazil are related to verticalrestraints, and one of them resulted in the highest fine ever applied to a company by Brazilian authorities.Moreover, the necessary conditions to characterize an antitrust offence are relatively well set, comprisingthree main steps of investigation: a) the existence of dominant position, b) the feasibility and economicrationality of market foreclosure and raising the costs of rivals, and c) the efficiencies related to verticalcontrol. The article comprises a summary of the economic controversy regarding vertical restraints, and asummary of the main cases decided by the Brazilian Commission (Cade).