Rolf Ali
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Articles by Rolf Ali
Apple updates App Store developer terms in the EU
Effective today, October 1, 2026, Apple will apply a set of unified business terms (UBTs) to apps that developers distribute in the European Union. In short, the UBTs: Enable distribution of notarized iOS and iPadOS apps via alternative app marketplaces and/or web distribution, subject to authorization from Apple and compliance with specific criteria and ongoing requirements.
EU General Court Rejects Apple Challenges To European Commission DMA Designation Decisions
On July 8, 2026, the EU General Court (GC) delivered its judgment in three joint cases regarding Apple’s challenges to the European Commission (EC) decisions to (1) designate Apple as a gatekeeper under Article 3 of the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) in relation to the App Store, iOS, and Safari; (2) open a market investigation as to whether the statutory presumption under the DMA that iMessage constitutes an “important gateway” because the service meets the quantitative user thresholds should...
Antitrust And Competition Issues In International Transactions
[c0-author: Julia Carland] Since taking office, the Trump administration’s approach to merger enforcement has markedly differed from the Biden administration’s open skepticism of remedies and emphasis on merger enforcement through litigation.
Mapping Potential Antitrust Issues in AI Distribution and Deployment | JD Supra
Competition authorities in the European Union are beginning to explore potential theories of harm across the AI value chain, from upstream AI model development to downstream distribution and deployment. At the AI development stage, regulatory scrutiny and policy initiatives to date have focused on key inputs such as compute, infrastructure, and data.
Mapping Potential Antitrust Issues in AI Distribution and Deployment
Competition authorities in the European Union are beginning to explore potential theories of harm across the AI value chain, from upstream AI model development to downstream distribution and deployment.
Noting Similarities And Divergences In UK, EU Apple Rulings
By Miranda Cole and Rolf Ali ( January 19, 2026, 9:05 AM GMT) -- European regulatory scrutiny of Apple Inc.'s iPhone operating system, or iOS, and App Store continues, with a judgment from the Competition Appeal Tribunal and recent decisions under the European Union Digital Markets Act, or DMA, and the U.K. Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, or DMCCA.... Law360 is on it, so you are, too.
Ecosystems And Legal Systems: Recent Apple Cases In The EU And The UK
Miranda L. Cole’s articles from Perkins Coie LLP are most popular: within Antitrust/Competition Law topic(s) in United States Perkins Coie LLP are most popular: within Family and Matrimonial, Transport and Real Estate and Construction topic(s) Legal action in the European Union and United Kingdom continues to focus on Apple's App Store ecosystem. Enforcement concerns App Store practices that impose constraints on developers, app distribution, and in-app payments.
German Court Clarifies Scope of "Substantial Domestic Operations" for Asserting Jurisdiction Under Transaction Value Threshold | JD Supra
Key Takeaways The German Federal Court of Justice has confirmed that the Federal Cartel Office was right to conclude that processing of German end-customer data (on behalf of German business customers) constituted “substantial domestic operations” for purposes of the transaction value merger control threshold.
German Court Clarifies Scope Of "Substantial Domestic Operations" For Asserting Jurisdiction Under Transaction Value Threshold
PC Perkins Coie LLP More Perkins Coie is a premier international law firm with over a century of experience, dedicated to addressing the legal and business challenges of tomorrow. Renowned for its deep industry knowledge and client-centric approach, the firm has consistently partnered with trailblazing organizations, from aviation pioneers to artificial intelligence innovators.
European Commission Finds Apple’s Steering Practices Breach the DMA | JD Supra
Key Takeaways The European Commission has determined that Apple infringed Article 5(4) of the DMA by imposing prohibitions and/or restrictions on the ability of app developers to promote offers on, direct (or “steer”) users to, and transact on other distribution channels. Apple was fined €500 million for failing to comply with the DMA.
New Commissioner, New Mission, New Policy for Competition?
On September 17, 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced her proposed College of Commissioners for her second five-year term, which will now await confirmation by the European Parliament.
The EU Court of Justice sets aside the General Court's judgment and rules that Member States cannot refer below-threshold transactions to the Commission (Illumina / Grail)
On 3 September 2024, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) published its highly-anticipated judgment in Illumina/Grail v Commission (Joined Cases C‑611/22 P and C‑625/22 P) (“ECJ Judgment”), regarding the scope of application of Article 22 of the EU Merger Regulation (“EUMR”).
Alessandro Cogoni
Covington & Burling (Brussels) Associate Alessandro Cogoni is an associate at Covington & Burling, based in the firm’s Brussels office. He advises international companies from a wide variety of industries on all aspects of EU competition law, including State aid, foreign subsidies, multi-jurisdictional merger control filings and antitrust investigations. He holds degrees from VUB University, King’s College London and Università degli Studi di Pavia.
Sustainability Agreements: Potential Divergence between Authorities
Various national competition authorities (“NCAs”) are continuing to consider sustainability arguments in competition cases. However, NCAs are increasingly diverging in their approach as to whether, and to what extent, they are willing to allow sustainability considerations in the competition law framework. This blogpost highlights a few recent developments in jurisdictions on both sides of the Atlantic.
Sustainability Agreements: Potential Divergence between Authorities
Various national competition authorities (“NCAs”) are continuing to consider sustainability arguments in competition cases. However, NCAs are increasingly diverging in their approach as to whether, and to what extent, they are willing to allow sustainability considerations in the competition law framework. This blogpost highlights a few recent developments in jurisdictions on both sides of the Atlantic.
Sustainability Agreements: Potential Divergence between Authorities
Various national competition authorities (“NCAs”) are continuing to consider sustainability arguments in competition cases. However, NCAs are increasingly diverging in their approach as to whether, and to what extent, they are willing to allow sustainability considerations in the competition law framework. This blogpost highlights a few recent developments in jurisdictions on both sides of the Atlantic.
ECJ clarifies presumption of innocence in hybrid investigations and scope of restrictions by object in information exchanges (HSBC v Commission)
On 12 January 2023, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) published its long-awaited judgment in C‑883/19 P HSBC v Commission. The ECJ confirmed that HSBC had engaged in anti-competitive conduct but partially overturned the General Court’s (“GC”) judgment on procedural grounds. The judgment provides critical guidance on the nature of anticompetitive information exchanges in the financial services sector and sets out important procedural aspects regarding “hybrid” cartel investigations.
ECJ clarifies presumption of innocence in hybrid investigations and scope of restrictions by object in information exchanges (HSBC v Commission)
On 12 January 2023, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) published its long-awaited judgment in C‑883/19 P HSBC v Commission. The ECJ confirmed that HSBC had engaged in anti-competitive conduct but partially overturned the General Court’s (“GC”) judgment on procedural grounds. The judgment provides critical guidance on the nature of anticompetitive information exchanges in the financial services sector and sets out important procedural aspects regarding “hybrid” cartel investigations.
Countdown to Compliance: the DMA Implementing Regulation
The Digital Markets Act (“DMA”) will apply from 2 May 2023. In anticipation of this, the European Commission (“Commission”) has sought feedback via a public consultation on the draft DMA Implementing Regulation (“IR”) between early December and 9 January 2023. The draft IR addresses a range of procedural aspects concerning the DMA, including gatekeeper designation and core platform service notifications, opening of proceedings, the right to be heard, and access to the file.
Countdown to Compliance: the DMA Implementing Regulation
The Digital Markets Act (“DMA”) will apply from 2 May 2023. In anticipation of this, the European Commission (“Commission”) has sought feedback via a public consultation on the draft DMA Implementing Regulation (“IR”) between early December and 9 January 2023. The draft IR addresses a range of procedural aspects concerning the DMA, including gatekeeper designation and core platform service notifications, opening of proceedings, the right to be heard, and access to the file.
Countdown to Compliance: the DMA Implementing Regulation
The Digital Markets Act (“DMA”) will apply from 2 May 2023. In anticipation of this, the European Commission (“Commission”) has sought feedback via a public consultation on the draft DMA Implementing Regulation (“IR”) between early December and 9 January 2023. The draft IR addresses a range of procedural aspects concerning the DMA, including gatekeeper designation and core platform service notifications, opening of proceedings, the right to be heard, and access to the file.
Countdown to Compliance: the DMA Implementing Regulation
The Digital Markets Act (“DMA”) will apply from 2 May 2023. In anticipation of this, the European Commission (“Commission”) has sought feedback via a public consultation on the draft DMA Implementing Regulation (“IR”) between early December and 9 January 2023. The draft IR addresses a range of procedural aspects concerning the DMA, including gatekeeper designation and core platform service notifications, opening of proceedings, the right to be heard, and access to the file.
European Court of Justice clarifies scope of protection against double jeopardy in successive antitrust investigations
On 22 March 2022, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) issued two separate preliminary rulings – Bpost and Nordzucker – which clarify how the protection against double jeopardy (“non bis in idem principle”) should be applied in instances where an identical competition law infringement is sanctioned in parallel investigations, either by different regulatory authorities of the same EU Member State or by multiple national competition authorities (“NCAs”) from different EU Member States.
European Court of Justice clarifies scope of protection against double jeopardy in successive antitrust investigations
On 22 March 2022, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) issued two separate preliminary rulings – Bpost and Nordzucker – which clarify how the protection against double jeopardy (“non bis in idem principle”) should be applied in instances where an identical competition law infringement is sanctioned in parallel investigations, either by different regulatory authorities of the same EU Member State or by multiple national competition authorities (“NCAs”) from different EU Member States.
ECJ provides guidance on key cartel questions: the partial immunity concept and rankings for leniency applications
On 3 June 2021, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) in case C-563/19 P Recylex v Commission dismissed Recylex’ appeal both to adjust its ranking in the leniency process and to receive partial immunity for parts of its participation in the Car Battery Recycling cartel.
Rolf Ali - Concurrences
Covington & Burling (Brussels) Associate Rolf Ali is an associate at Covington & Burling, based in the firm’s Brussels office. Rolf advises clients on a range of aspects of EU competition law, including multi-jurisdictional merger control filings, cartel and leniency issues, collaborative arrangements, vertical agreements, and unilateral conduct. Rolf works across various industries, including technology, energy, and media. He holds a DPhil in Law from the University of Oxford.
The CMA’s approach to jurisdiction in recent merger cases
The Enterprise Act 2002 (“EA02”) affords the CMA broad discretion in asserting jurisdiction over mergers that may affect a UK market. Under the EA02, a relevant merger situation (“RMS”) exists where (i) two or more enterprises cease to be distinct; and (ii) either the UK turnover of the target exceeds £70 million (the “turnover test”) or the parties supply or acquire at least 25% of a particular good or service in the UK (the “share of supply test”).
French Public and Administrative Authorities Take Action on Climate Change
At a time when COVID-19 is having direct and indirect effects on the reduction of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and ensuing global warming, eight French regulators, including the French Competition Authority, issued on 5 May 2020 a joint working paper in which they highlight the need to take into account the “climate emergency” in defining and carrying out their missions, and describe their levers for action.This working paper is the result of meetings between the presidents of the eight...
French Public and Administrative Authorities Take Action on Climate Change
At a time when COVID-19 is having direct and indirect effects on the reduction of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and ensuing global warming, eight French regulators, including the French Competition Authority, issued on 5 May 2020 a joint working paper in which they highlight the need to take into account the “climate emergency” in defining and carrying out their missions, and describe their levers for action.
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