GW is attempting to ban its independent stockists from offering bits, painting services or online stores similar to what was done in the US.



Unlike the US, Australia has a fairly powerful Consumer watchdog that polices anti competitive behaviour, and so GW has petitioned to have an exception made in their favor.



Below are links to some of the correspondence to and from the ACCC from GW;



[url]http://registers.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1178319/fromItemId/776499[/url]



These are the new proposed terms (Starts at the bottom of page 2);



[url]http://registers.accc.gov.au/content/trimFile.phtml?trimFileTitle=D14+59305.pdf&trimFil eFromVersionId=1180413&trimFileName=D14+59305.pdf[/url]



[url]http://registers.accc.gov.au/content/trimFile.phtml?trimFileTitle=D14+103741.pdf&trimFi leFromVersionId=1180413&trimFileName=D14+103741.pd f[/url]



Some nice tidbits I gleaned from it;



According to GW under 4(a);



"The notified conduct does not have the purpose of substantially lessening competition. Further, it is GWOP's view that the notified conduct will not have, or be likely to have, the substantial lessening of competition."

Their justification;

B&M stores will be encouraged to increase their range of services in order to get larger discounts (no specific amount of discounts are mentioned.) "As a result customers will benefit from the higher standard of service and support"

The new way of business will "offer consumers a high professional level of service" as well as "reduce the risk of Distance Selling Channel Outlets free riding on the investment made by Shop Front Channel Outlets"

Also note, GW was asked to provide 'Facts and evidence' to support their claims. GW declined...

GW recognizes the following as substitutable products;

Heroclix, Mage Knight, Star Trek Attack Wing, Monsterapocoloypse, Warmachine, Hordes, Iron Kingdom, Flames of War, Dust, Smallworld, Ticket to Ride, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars X Wing, Dark Crusade, Carcassone, Dominion, Axis and Allies, Battlecry, Diplomacy, Risk, Spartacus, Firefly, plastic model kits, model trains, model scenery, diecast models, millitary action figures, radio controlled vehicles, Magic the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh, Star Wars: The old republic, World of Warcraft, Starcraft, The Eldar Scrolls and Fallout.

"GWOP submits that there is no discernible public detriment in the proposed conduct"

"Consumers remain freely able to buy Hobby Products from a number of other third parties"

Once again; no facts given when requested by the ACCC

GWs response regarding the above list of products;

"The competitive suppliers listed in the Notification offer similar experiences to GWOP in relation to Hobby Products and Hobby Activities, however the Hobby Products and Hobby Activities which customers invest their time and money in are interchangeable. All Hobby Products within the Hobby Activities market may be substitutable for one another."

"To give an example, "Magic: The Gathering" (as referenced in section S(a)(iv)(A)(l) of the Notification) is a very popular collectible card game produced by Wizards of the Coast (a subsidiary of Hasbro) and sold by almost every Trade Account of GWOP. It is sold in the form of starter decks of cards, booster packs of cards, and individual cards. The cards are collected to form "decks" which are used to play in competitive game against opponents. These cards directly compete with the products sold by GWOP."