L 200/92 Official Journal of the European Union 30.7.2005 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 30 October 2002 relating to a proceeding pursuant to Article 81 of the EC Treaty and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (Case COMP|[E-2/37.784 — Fine art auction houses) Notified under document number C(2002) 4283 final and corrigenda C(2002) 4283/7 and C(2002) 4283/8 g (Only the English text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2005/590/EC) On 30 October 2002, the Commission adopted a Decision (C(2002) 4283 final) relating to a proceeding under Article 81 of the EC Treaty and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement. On 6 November 2002, the Commission approved by written procedure C(2002) 4283/7, a corrigendum to the C(2002) 4283/5 version of Decision C(2002) 4283 final, and C(2002) 4283/8, a corri- gendum to the C(2002) 4283/6 version of Decision C(2002) 4283 final. In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Regulation 17 (1), the Commission herewith publishes the names of the parties and the main content of the decision, having regard to the legitimate interest of undertakings in the protection of their business interests. A non-confidential version of the full text of the decision can be found in the authentic language of the case and in the Commission’s working languages at DG COMP’s website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/index_en.html I. SUMMARY OF THE INFRINGEMENT 1. Addressees This Decision is addressed to the following undertakings and/or associations of undertakings: — Christie’s International plc, — Sotheby’s Holdings Inc. 2. Time and nature of the infringement From 30 April 1993 and lasting at least until 7 February 2000, Christie’s International plc (hereinafter: Christie’s) and Sotheby’s Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter: Sotheby’s), the (1) 0J 13, 21.2.1962, p. 204/62. Regulation as last amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 1216/1999 (OJ L 148, 15.6.1999, p. 5). two main world-wide competitors for the sale on commission by auction of so-called fine art objects, antiques, furniture, collectibles and memorabilia (here- inafter also generically referred to as: fine arts), entered into and participated in a continuing agreement and/or concerted practice contrary to Article 81(1) of the Treaty and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement, relating to prices and other conditions of sale for auctions. The companies agreed, amongst others, to adopt identical commission structures for vendors, to move to a non- negotiable scale of vendor commission rates (replacing the previously negotiable commission), to increase vendor commission charges and refrain from granting special conditions to sellers. They also fixed certain other terms and conditions of business, thereby preventing or restricting competition between them in the fine arts auction business. Furthermore they introduced a monitoring mechanism to ensure their agreement and/or concerted practice was being respected.