Jean-François Bellis

Representing Microsoft throughout the landmark proceedings that led to the 2004 European Commission abuse of dominance decision. On appeal, Jean-François helped the company obtain a partial annulment of that decision with respect to the Commission’s remedial powers. Subsequently, in Microsoft’s appeal for alleged non-compliance with the 2004 decision, Jean-François helped Microsoft obtain the largest fine reduction in any case involving abuse of dominance.

Representing ACT, a trade association of more than 5,000 IT firms worldwide, in support of Intel’s challenge to the Commission decision imposing a record fine of €1.06 billion on Intel for allegedly granting rebates and payments conditional on exclusivity. The case raised many novel issues, including burden of proof, the proper legal test for assessing fidelity rebates, the Commission’s duties when gathering evidence, and jurisdiction.

Representing CISAC, as well as eight individual copyright management societies, in their appeal to the EU General Court which led to the annulment of the European Commission’s decision which had found CISAC and its European members to have engaged in concerted practices in violation of EU competition law.

Representing Japan Airlines, Japan’s largest flag carrier, and Thai Airways in the cartel proceeding initiated by the European Commission against more than 20 airlines in the airfreight sector. Charges against Thai Airways were dropped and Jean-François obtained the annulment by the EU General Court of the €35.7 million fine imposed on Japan Airlines. Jean-François is also acting as coordinating counsel in defending Japan Airlines in follow-on actions for damages brought in EU Member State courts.