32003M3295

Commission Decision of 10/11/2003 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market (Case No IV/M.3295 - ATOS ORIGIN / SEMA GROUP) according to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (Only the English text is authentic)

To the notifying parties

Dear Madam(s) and/or Sir(s),

Subject: Case No. COMP/M.3295 - ATOS ORIGIN/SEMA GROUP Notification of 07.10.2003 pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 [1], as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1310/97 [2] Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No. C [250, 18/10/2003, page 22]

[1] OJ L 395, 30.12.1989 p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 257, 21.9.1990, p. 13.

[2] OJ L 180, 9. 7. 1997, p. 1; corrigendum OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17.

1. On 07.10.2003, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 by which the undertaking Atos Origin S.A. ("Atos"- France) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the France-based Sema Group, ("Sema"), belonging to the Schlumberger Group (US), by way of purchase of shares.

2. The business activities of the undertakings concerned are :

- for Atos : provision of IT services;

- for Sema : provision of IT services.

3. After examination of the notification, the Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 and of paragraph 4, subparagraph c, of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 [3].

[3] OJ C 217, 29.07.2000, p. 32.

4. For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the common market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89.

For the Commission

Signed

Mario MONTI Member of the Commission