The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has launched investigations examining the activities of the country's five largest auction houses: Agra-Art, Desa Unicum, Dom Aukcyjny Polswiss Art, Rempex, and Sopot Auction House.

"In the investigations, we will examine how cooperation between auction houses and consumers is carried out. The art market was booming when many industries were experiencing a pandemic-induced crisis. For many consumers, buying artwork is not only an investment in culture but also a form of protection money from inflation. We want to verify whether the rights and interests of consumers are being violated by entrepreneurs operating in the art market," President Tomasz Chróstny said.

As part of the initiated investigations, the UOKiK will examine the contract templates used concerning consumers and possible rules for changing them. It will also check complaints received by auction houses over the past two years, as well as the procedure and effect of their handling. The president of the UOKiK will also look into the advertising used by the auction houses.

If, after a preliminary analysis, it turns out that there are grounds to bring charges against the auction houses, the UOKiK president may initiate proceedings for violating the collective interests of consumers or for using prohibited clauses in their contract templates. This is punishable by financial penalties of up to 10 percent of the entrepreneur's annual turnover and the need to remove the consequences of unlawful actions.

(ISBnews)