Introduction

This discussion paper sets out possible principles for the Commission's application of Article 82 of the Treaty to exclusionary abuses. By exclusionary abuses are meant behaviours by dominant firms which are likely to have a foreclosure effect on the market, i.e. which are likely to completely or partially deny profitable expansion in or access to a market to actual or potential competitors and which ultimately harm consumers. Foreclosure may discourage entry or expansion of rivals or encourage their exit.