CMA opens consultation on Reed Elsevier undertakings
The CMA is consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference for Reed Elsevier’s acquisition of Jordan Publishing.
In September 2015, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced it would consider in detail undertakings proposed by Reed Elsevier (UK) Limited instead of referring the case for an in-depth merger investigation.
Reed Elsevier has offered to sell 4 titles, one in each of the 3 areas of the market where the CMA identified a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition, and one additional title, as well as licences to certain family law precedents, to an upfront purchaser, namely Bloomsbury Professional, a publisher of legal, tax and financial regulatory materials. The additional title and related precedents are expected to assist Bloomsbury Professional to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the remedy package to solve the competition concerns identified by the CMA.
The CMA proposes to accept the proposed undertakings, which it currently considers are appropriate to remedy its competition concerns.
Before reaching a final decision, it is inviting interested parties to make their views known. The deadline for responses is 26 November 2015.
The consultation on the undertakings and all other information relating to this investigation can be found on the case page.