# C_2009302EN.01002201.xml

| 12.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 302/22 |
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12.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 302/22

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5731 — AXA LBO FUND IV/Home Shopping Europe)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2009/C 302/11

| 1. | On 3 December 2009, 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 AXA LBO FUND IV (France), ultimately controlled by Group AXA (‘AXA’, France), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Regulation sole control of the undertaking Home Shopping Europe GmbH (‘HSE’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 3 December 2009, 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 AXA LBO FUND IV (France), ultimately controlled by Group AXA (‘AXA’, France), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Regulation sole control of the undertaking Home Shopping Europe GmbH (‘HSE’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | AXA LBO FUND IV: participations in companies, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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AXA LBO FUND IV: participations in companies,

| — | AXA: international group active in the provision of life and non-life insurance and related financial services, |
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AXA: international group active in the provision of life and non-life insurance and related financial services,

| — | HSE: operation of shopping broadcaster, internet sales. |
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HSE: operation of shopping broadcaster, internet sales.

| 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. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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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. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 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 (+32 22964301 or 22967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5731 — AXA LBO FUND IV/Home Shopping Europe, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

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 (+32 22964301 or 22967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5731 — AXA LBO FUND IV/Home Shopping Europe, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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