# C_2005114EN.01000601.xml

| 14.5.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 114/6 |
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14.5.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 114/6

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3813 — Fortune Brands/Allied Domecq)

(2005/C 114/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 2 May 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Fortune Brands Inc. (‘Fortune Brands’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of brands and assets of Allied Domecq plc (‘Allied Domecq’, United Kingdom) and of Pernod Ricard SA (‘Pernod Ricard’, France) by way of purchase of shares in an acquisition vehicle company. |
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1.

On 2 May 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Fortune Brands Inc. (‘Fortune Brands’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of brands and assets of Allied Domecq plc (‘Allied Domecq’, United Kingdom) and of Pernod Ricard SA (‘Pernod Ricard’, France) by way of purchase of shares in an acquisition vehicle company.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for the undertaking Fortune Brands: consumer products, including spirits and wines, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for the undertaking Fortune Brands: consumer products, including spirits and wines,

| — | for the assets of Allied Domecq: spirits and wines, |
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for the assets of Allied Domecq: spirits and wines,

| — | for the assets of Pernod Ricard: spirits (primarly gin). |
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for the assets of Pernod Ricard: spirits (primarly gin).

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3813 — Fortune Brands/Allied Domecq, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition, |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3813 — Fortune Brands/Allied Domecq, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition,

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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