Allison SylteSHARE
Columbia Sportswear Co. announced Monday that the company and OutDry Technologies, its Italian subsidiary, have filed a complaint with the European Union against W.L. Gore and Associates, the makers of, among other things, Gore-Tex membranes.
The companies allege that Gore has violated EU competition laws by abusing its dominant position in the market for waterproof breathable membranes for footwear and gloves. This complaint comes in the wake of a recent investigation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission regarding whether or not Gore has abused its market dominance stateside.
A full copy of the press release is available below:
PORTLAND, Ore. & BUSTO ARSIZIO, Italy–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM), a leading innovator in the global outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment industries, today announced that the Company and its Italian subsidiary, OutDry Technologies S.r.l., have filed a complaint with the Commission of the European Union against W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., alleging that W. L. Gore & Associates has violated European Union competition laws by abusing its dominant position in the market for waterproof breathable membranes for footwear and gloves.
Columbia and OutDry Technologies also welcomed the recent public news that the United States Federal Trade Commission has issued a subpoena to W. L. Gore in connection with its own investigation into whether Gore has “engaged in unfair methods of competition ‘by contracts, exclusionary practices, or other conduct related to waterproof or waterproof and breathable membranes or technologies and related products.’”
“Columbia and OutDry Technologies have long been concerned that W. L. Gore & Associates’ commercial practices systematically prevent consumers, brand owners and manufacturers from gaining access to competing product innovations in waterproof breathable footwear and gloves. We believe W. L. Gore’s exclusionary conduct has deprived outdoor enthusiasts across the European Union, the United States and other regions throughout the world from learning about, experiencing and benefiting from new and innovative products,” said Peter Bragdon, Columbia’s Senior Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs.
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