Legal Writing Casual Group Conversation Script

GROUP 2PHILIPPINE COMPETITION ACT

Before the class started in Room CB 333, Ella, a businesswoman, was approached by Reinald who was excited to talk about the Philippine Competition Act. Their classmates then joined their conversation.

Reinald: Hey Ella! Have you heard the news?Ella: What news?Reinald: President Aquino has finally signed the Philippine Competition Act!Ella: So? What’s in it for me?Reinald: You’re a businesswoman, right? You would benefit from this law

because it seeks to promote free and fair competition in trade, industry and all commercial economic activities.

Keith: Hmm… by the sound of that, I’m guessing it will affect a lot of people. Who do you think should fear this law?

Francis: This Act punishes entities that exhibit anti-competitive behaviors, cartel-like actions and abuses in dominant positition.

Eric: Which means that if your business is playing fair, Ella, there is nothing to fear. What this bill will do is to protect fair and legitimate business practices and punish abuses in the market to achieve greater economic efficiency.

Michele: Interesting, I’ve read that in the Official Gazette this morning, but I’m not quite sure what it says about price fixing and price matching?

Ella: Yea, Francis, what if I, I decide in my company to follow the price of my competitor?

Francis: I believe that what is allowed is only Price Matching, where a business follows suit in the general pricing of the market.

Eric: Indeed, what is prohibited is Price Fixing, which is an agreement between the players in the market to manipulate the price of goods and services at the expense of the consumers.

Grace: Excuse us guys but Alvin and I can’t help but to overhear your conversation. If I may ask, how will abuses via high prices be determined in different industries?

Reinald: Premium Pricing, where certain companies position themselves as premium brands and peg their products at higher price points than the usual in the markets, is allowed in the bill.

Eric: This bill does not hinder companies from choosing their target consumer base, and positioning and pricing their products based n its brand value or the overall strategy of the company.

Francis: Yes, however, this bill does not allow for selected companies to collude in manipulating prices in a way that limits the choices of the consumers.

Michele: Aah! Which means that it does not allow a dominant player in the market to impose barriers to entry of new and upcoming brands.

Alvin: But what about patented proprietary features? Will they be allowed since there will be switching cost to consumers? Say for instance, ink cartridges, pens, or software.

Michele: I’ve read that Intellectual property rights are protected in this Act. These patents are generally considered as legal barriers to entries, which are protected in this Act. It explicitly states that the right of the entities to their intellectual property is not considered prohibited.

Alvin: I see..Ella: Guys, I think we should go back to our seats. Our teacher will arrive

soon!

Group 2 members:1. Guerrero, Reinald

Raven2. Napay, Michele3. Galvez, Keith Russell

4. Renon, Mary Grace5. Labastilla, Eric6. Sumayod, Francis Anthony

7. Pateres, Alvin8. Padua, Ella

Marie