Distributor Ruch S.A. being sued for the third time by a publishing company

Publishing company Wydawnictwo Prasowe Twoj Styl (WPTS) is sueing the biggest Polish-press distributor Ruch S.A., which has a 60% market share, to the Consumer and Competition Protection Office (UOKiK) for using prohibited monopolistic practices. The conflict began over the margin demanded by Ruch. "Returns of our titles from individual distributors are often much lower (two times) than from Ruch, which also charges a bigger margin," said WPTS general president Andrzej Golaszewski. The margin demanded by Ruch was set five years ago when the price of Twoj Styl was much lower and the revenues of distributors were not increasing in line with the number of sales. Ruch does not want to reveal information about the placing of newspapers, even though it is obliged to do so. "We did not feel that Ruch understands our situation and we could not tolerate it any longer," said Golaszewski. If UOKiK rules in WPTS' favor, the company will demand Ruch S.A. reimburse it for the overcharged amount. WPTS has not ruled out going to court with its case. This is the third time Ruch has been sued by a company. (Rzeczpospolita, page A2) M.M.