Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8612 — CZ/DT/Carl Zeiss Smart Optics) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (Text with EEA relevance. )
Date: 2017-11-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: economic concentration, information technology industry, merger control, optical industry, telecommunications industry








C_2017393EN.01001501.xml










21.11.2017   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 393/15





Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.8612 — CZ/DT/Carl Zeiss Smart Optics)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2017/C 393/07)






1.


On 13 November 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
This notification concerns the following undertakings:






—


Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (Germany),










—


Carl Zeiss AG (Germany), controlled by Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung,










—


Deutsche Telekom AG (Germany),










—


Carl Zeiss Smart Optics, Inc. (USA), controlled by Carl Zeiss AG and Deutsche Telekom AG.




Carl Zeiss AG and Deutsche Telekom AG acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Carl Zeiss Smart Optics, Inc.
The concentration is accomplished by way of acquisition of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.










2.


The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
—   Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung controls Carl Zeiss AG and Schott AG. Carl Zeiss AG is a technology group in the field of optics and optoelectronics. Schott AG is a technology group in the fields of specialist glass and glass ceramics.
—   Deutsche Telekom: Deutsche Telekom AG is a telecommunications and information technology provider operating in more than 50 countries worldwide. It sells products and services in the fields of fixed networks/broadband, mobile telephony, internet, IPTV, and information and communication technology. It also supplies wholesale telecommunications services to other telecoms operators and internet service providers.
—   Carl Zeiss Smart Optics: the aim of Carl Zeiss Smart Optics, Inc. is to develop and commercialise a system for smart glasses.










3.


On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. 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.










4.


The Commission invites interested third parties to submit to it their observations on the proposed operation.
Observations must reach the Commission no later than 10 days following the date of publication of this notification. The following reference should always be specified:
M.8612 — CZ/DT/Carl Zeiss Smart Optics
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:





E-mail: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu




Fax +32 22964301




Postal address:




European Commission




Directorate-General for Competition




Merger Registry




1049 Bruxelles/Brussel




BELGIQUE/BELGIË










(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.