91999E0852

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0852/99

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 March 1999)

Subject: Economic assessment of parallel imports

Is the Commission satisfied with the NERA study into the economic impact of parallel imports?

In view of NERA's contract with the European Brand Owners' Association does the Commission recognise the possible conflict of interests and would it consider commissioning a second study?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The Commission considers that the NERA study was well carried out and represents a most useful basis for further discussions. However the Commission has been informed that for several reasons there are interest groups which did not have the opportunity to express their views on the question of exhaustion of trade mark rights during the study. The Commission arranged a hearing in Brussels on 28 April 1999 to enable all interested circles to comment on this important topic.

The Commission considers furthermore that the study gives a complete analysis of the different aspects of the question of exhaustion of trade mark rights. There is therefore no reason to believe that any connections between the NERA institute and an interest group have affected the outcome of the study. There are no plans to commission a second study concerning this issue.