SUPERIOR BARGAINING POSITION AND FORMS OF ITS ABUSE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PRACTICE IN GERMANY, JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA

Authors

  • Doniyor Abduazizov

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47390/SPR1342V5SI7Y2025N32

Keywords:

superior bargaining position, forms of abuse, competition law, Bundeskartellamt, JFTC, KFTC, unfair trade practices, economic dependency.

Abstract

This article examines the legal concept of abuse of superior bargaining position and the mechanisms of its regulation in the practices of Germany, Japan, and South Korea. Unlike market dominance, superior bargaining position arises from a specific economic dependency and is manifested when the stronger party in contractual relations imposes unfair conditions on the weaker party that contradict ordinary commercial practices. The article provides a comparative analysis of the enforcement practices of the competition authorities in these countries and their criteria, highlighting the main forms of abuse of superior bargaining position and the legal standards applied in their assessment.

References

1. Korean Act on Fair Transactions in Large Retail Business (2012);

2. German Act Against Restraints of Competition;

3. Japan’s Act on Prohibition of Private Monopolization and Maintenance of Fair Trade (Act No. 54 of April 14, 1947);

4. Japan’s Guidelines Concerning Abuse of Superior Bargaining Position under the Antimonopoly Act;

5. KFTC Enforcement Decree & Guidelines: Definitions of ASBP and illustrative unfair practices

6. Korean Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act;

7. Bundeskartellamt case reports: EDEKA/Plus decision (B2-58/09, 2014) and BGH judgment KVR 3/17 (2018) confirming the Anzapfverbot in retail;

8. GRP Rainer Lawyers Commentary: Explanation of the Anzapfverbot (prohibition on demanding unjustified benefits) in German antitrust law;

9. International Competition Network (ICN) (2008) Report on Abuse of Superior Bargaining Position, 7th Annual Conference of ICN, Kyoto, Japan;

10. K.T.Jung and Timothy J. O'Brien. The Asia-Pacific Antitrust Review 2008. Korea: Overview;

11. KIM&Chang. KFTC Announces Draft Amendment to Unfair Trade Practice Review Guidelines;

12. Xodjayev B.K., Radjapov X.M., Qalandarov A., Abduazizov D. (2025) Raqobat huquqi [Matn]: darslik / Xodjayev Baxshillo Kamolovich, Radjapov Xusain Muhammad oʻgʻli, Qalandarov A., Abduazizov D. – T.: TDYU nashriyoti;

13. Wakui, Masako and Cheng, Thomas K., Regulating Abuse of Superior Bargaining Position Under the Japanese Competition Law: An Anomaly or a Necessity? (June 4, 2015).

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Submitted

2025-08-30

Published

2025-08-30

How to Cite

Abduazizov, D. (2025). SUPERIOR BARGAINING POSITION AND FORMS OF ITS ABUSE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PRACTICE IN GERMANY, JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA. Ижтимоий-гуманитар фанларнинг долзарб муаммолари Актуальные проблемы социально-гуманитарных наук Actual Problems of Humanities and Social Sciences., 5(S/7), 219–228. https://doi.org/10.47390/SPR1342V5SI7Y2025N32