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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13677
Contents Publication in full By article 27 / 38
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS / Competition

European Commission clarifies rules for “licencing negotiation groups”

On Wednesday 9 July, the European Commission published guidelines on agreements between several companies to negotiate licences for the use of technologies covered by standard essential patents (SEPs). The aim is to clarify the practices permitted under European antitrust rules. Licensing negotiation groups (LNGs) are similar to joint purchasing agreements, but their purpose is to obtain licences, not to purchase goods or services. 

In December 2024, the BMW, Mercedez-Benz, Thyssenkrupp and Volkswagen groups requested an opinion from the European Commission on their ‘ALNG’ alliance, which stands for Automotive Licensing Negotiation Group. 

After analysis, the European Commission concluded that it was unlikely that the members of the alliance together would exceed a market share of 15%. Even if this were the case, the alliance should not restrict competition, as the cost of SEPs represents only a very small part of the price of end products. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)

Contents

MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK 2028-2034
COMPETITIVENESS: post-2027 ‘European Competitiveness Fund’ with more flexible budgetary management to encompass fourteen existing programmes
RESEARCH: excellent science, competitiveness, innovation and European Research Area to be at heart of post-2027 ‘Horizon Europe’ framework programme
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
CLIMATE: 2040 target – without EPP support, Parliament rejects urgency procedure to maintain ambition before COP30
ENVIRONMENT: European Parliament calls on Commission to repeal its implementing act on EU Deforestation Regulation
UNITED STATES: European Parliament eagerly awaits an agreement with Donald Trump to lower tariffs
UKRAINE: European Parliament calls for increased military support in face of continuing Russian attacks
GEORGIA: European Parliament calls for new general elections
DEVELOPMENT: European Parliament reiterates that EU must show leadership in implementing Sustainable Development Goals
MONEY LAUNDERING: European Parliament does not reject update of list of high-risk countries, despite several motions
CONSUMERS: European Parliament broadly approves initiatives in ‘De Meo’ report to combat influx of e-commerce products
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: European Parliament criticises Bosnia and Herzegovina’s lack of progress in its internal reform process
NORTH MACEDONIA: European Parliament concerned about lack of fairness in treatment of Skopje and its status as candidate for accession to Union
ALBANIA: European Parliament enthusiastically welcomes Tirana’s reforms aimed at EU accession, but points to still excessively “polarised” political environment
REGIONS: European Parliament approves €280 million in aid from EU Solidarity Fund
FISHERIES: MEPs approve new regulation to tackle overfishing by third countries
EXTERNAL ACTION
MERCOSUR: EU-Mercosur trade agreement moves closer to conclusion
MEDITERRANEAN: European Commission intends to adopt its ‘New Pact for Mediterranean’ on 15 October
SECTORAL POLICIES
CIVIL PROTECTION: EU strategy for stockpiling focuses on anticipating crises, better coordination between Member States and increased stocks
HEALTH: European Commission outlines measures to protect Europe and world against health threats
ENVIRONMENT: European ministers in Aalborg to discuss COP30, climate and environmental objectives and fight against plastic pollution
ENERGY: European Commission takes on board some of industry’s demands in its delegated act defining ‘low-carbon’ hydrogen
ENERGY: European Commission takes stock of START technical assistance scheme for transition of coal-mining regions
ENERGY: European Commission consults on a future delegated act for energy labelling of low-temperature heaters
MIGRATION: mission suspended in Libya – European Commission reports problem with protocol
DIGITAL: EDRi, BEUC and over 40 associations urge European Commission not to simplify AI Act and its obligations
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
COMPETITION: European Commission provides guidance on sustainability agreement to reduce CO2 emissions in European ports
COMPETITION: European Commission clarifies rules for “licencing negotiation groups”
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
ENVIRONMENT: EU General Court confirms ECHA’s decision identifying melamine as substance of very high concern
TRANSPARENCY: management of parliamentary allowances; Eva Kaili entitled to access certain documents in file, says General Court of European Union
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
RULE OF LAW: European Parliament calls on European Commission to take immediate action to address new violations of fundamental values
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
UKRAINE: flight MH17 crash, war in Ukraine – Russia heavily condemned by European Court of Human Rights
NEWS BRIEFS
CLIMATE: June 2025 was third-warmest June globally, according to Copernicus
CLIMATE/FINANCE: EBA consults on greenwashing risks for retail banking products
DEFENCE: European Peace Facility; EU adopts €12 million assistance measure for Cabo Verde
ENERGY: European ministers confirm that arbitration clause in Energy Charter Treaty cannot be applied to intra-EU proceedings
INTERNAL MARKET: European Commission consults on “28th regime” for businesses
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Carola Rackete resigns as MEP
RUSSIA: still no agreement between EU Member States on 18th sanctions package