• The President of UOKiK has launched a preliminary investigation regarding a possible competition-restricting agreement.
• UOKiK employees searched four businesses selling drones, drone accessories, gimbals and sports cameras.
• The entrepreneurs may have entered into an illegal price agreement.

The President of UOKiK has obtained signals indicating a possible illegal price agreement between four businesses involved in the sale of drones, cameras, stabilisers (gimbals) as well as accessories, spare parts, software and protection packages for these devices from DJI, DJI Enterprise and DJI Agriculture. A China-based entity, SZ DJI Technology, is responsible for the production of these brand devices. The application of the equipment of this leading manufacturer is quite extensive. DJI drones are used not only by recreational users, but also by emergency services and professionals specialising in surveying or aerial photography.

- We suspect that the entrepreneurs may have entered into an agreement for unauthorised drone pricing. Therefore, I have opened investigation proceedings into the matter and ordered searches. They were held with the permission of the court and assisted by the Police. We are currently analysing the evidence gathered in this case - says the President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny.

The preliminary investigation is conducted in rem and not against specific businesses. If the evidence collected confirms the suspicions, the President of UOKiK will initiate antitrust proceedings and bring charges against individual entities. An enterprise involved in a competition-restricting agreement faces a fine of up to 10% of its turnover. The managers responsible for entering into the price-fixing arrangement face a fine of up to PLN 2 million.

Severe sanctions can be avoided by taking advantage of the leniency scheme. It offers businesses involved in an illegal agreement and managers responsible for entering into a price-fixing arrangement an opportunity to reduce a sanction or, in some cases, avoid it altogether. It is intended for those who agree to cooperate with the President of UOKiK as a “crown witness” and provide evidence or information regarding the existence of a prohibited agreement. We encourage the parties interested in the leniency scheme to contact the Authority. By calling a dedicated number: 22 55 60 555, UOKiK staff will answer any questions about the leniency programme, including anonymous ones.

We would also like to remind you that we operate a programme to obtain information from anonymous whistleblowers. Do you wish to inform UOKiK about competition restricting practices? Visit https://uokik.whiblo.pl/ or scan the QR code below and use the simple form. The system we use guarantees full anonymity, including from UOKiK.