The EU last week fined Volkswagen and BMW $ 875 million euros ($1 billion) for colluding to curb the use of emissions cleaning technology they had developed.
This is not 'Dieselgate' - the scandal over software designed to cheat on vehicle emissions tests.
As the Reuters article outlines, its the first time that charges have been brought against a cartel who restrict a novel technology. However, the car makers argue that sharing knowledge allows an industry to embrace a new technology easily and does not amount to anti-competitive behaviour.
If the fine isn't challenged it will be interesting to see how firms tackle this as a follow-on action. How do they measure quantum? And perhaps if they are already bringing a claim on behalf of those affected by 'Diselgate' will they be able to use this to help source claimants faster?
"This is a first," European Union antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager told a news conference in Brussels. "We have never had a cartel whose purpose was to restrict the use of novel technology."
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