公平交易法聯合行為規範改革試論

A Study on the Reform of the Regulations on Concerted Actions under the Fair Trade Act

本文從現行公平法整體規範是否有未能針對基於合意之垂直聯合行為加以規範之規範漏洞出發，發現倘若肯定現行公平法第19、20條所規範之垂直交易限制類型，僅限於單方行為而未及於雙方合意之垂直交易限制類型時，則發生規範漏洞而有必要修改公平法第14條第1項聯合行為定義，令其得以涵蓋雙方合意之垂直交易限制。其次，縱使認為現行公平法第19、20條可以涵蓋雙方合意之垂直交易限制，但該等規定有關限制競爭效果要件，因其門檻過低而有過度管制、浮濫適用之傾向，而應廢止該等規定，將其統一納入聯合行為規範，適用一致的限制競爭效果。再者，現行公平法第14條第3項之合意推定實為行政訴訟法第176條準用民事訴訟法第282條之事實推定，在納入垂直聯合類型後，更有必要刪除其規定。其後，鑑於現行原則禁止、例外許可之規範方式，可能導致有利於整體公益之事業間的良性合作，因未能符合第15條第1項但書各款類型而無法實施，故應將現行之事前許可制修正為事後審查制。最後，著眼於公平法聯合行為規範之實效性，為強化寬恕政策、檢舉獎金等機制的實施成效，當有必要針對參與惡質卡特爾之行為人個人，直接處以刑責，徹底落實公平法規範所欲實現之自由且公平的競爭秩序。

This paper begins by examining whether there are regulatory gaps in the current Fair Trade Act (FTA), particularly regarding vertical concerted actions based on agreements. It argues that if Articles 19 and 20 of the current FTA only cover unilateral vertical restraints and do not address vertical transaction restrictions based on agreements, a regulatory loophole exists. This would necessitate amending the definition of concerted actions in Article 14, Paragraph 1, to include such agreed vertical transaction restrictions. Furthermore, even if Articles 19 and 20 are interpreted to cover agreed vertical restraints, the provisions on the anti-competitive effects requirements have a tendency towards over-regulation and excessive application due to low thresholds. Thus, these provisions should be abolished and incorporated into the concerted actions regulation, applying a uniform anti-competitive effects standard. Moreover, the presumption of agreement under Article 14, Paragraph 3, of the current FTA is essentially a factual presumption under Article 282 of the Civil Procedure Code, as applied by Article 176 of the Administrative Litigation Act. After including vertical concerted actions, it becomes even more necessary to delete this provision. Additionally, the current regulatory approach, which generally prohibits concerted actions but allows exceptions with prior approval, may prevent beneficial collaborations between businesses that promote public welfare if they do not meet the specific criteria listed in Article 15, Paragraph 1. Therefore, the current prior approval system should be replaced with a post-review system. Finally, to enhance the effectiveness of the concerted action regulations under the FTA, mechanisms such as leniency policies and whistleblower rewards must be strengthened. It is necessary to impose criminal penalties directly on individuals involved in hard core cartels, to fully realize the intended goal of a free and fair competitive order under the FTA.