Brussels, 08/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 7 July, the European Commission authorised the US company Whirlpool, which manufactures and markets domestic appliances, to acquire the trademarks, trademark applications and domains comprising the name “Privileg” (together the “Privileg Rights”). The Privileg Rights were previously used by the now insolvent German retailer Quelle GmbH i.L. to market major and small domestic appliances, mainly in Germany and Austria. The Privileg Rights were acquired by the German home-shopping group Otto in the course of Quelle's liquidation, together with other assets (EUROPE 10080 10138). The activities of Whirlpool and Privileg overlap in major and small domestic appliances. However, the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns as numerous competitors are active in the relevant markets and will continue to exercise significant competitive constraints on the parties. Subsequently, the Commission authorised the operation notified to it on 2 June 2010. (F.G./transl.fl)