Siemens 2007 Annual Report Download - page 284

284 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in millions of €, except where otherwise stated and per share amounts)
In February 2007, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. (SMS) announced that it
had reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Offi ce for the Northern District
of Illinois to settle allegations made in an indictment fi led in January 2006. The
agreement resolves all allegations made against SMS in the indictment. Under the
agreement, SMS has pled guilty to a single federal criminal charge of obstruction
of justice in connection with civil litigation that followed a bid to provide radiol-
ogy equipment to Cook County Hospital in 2001. In addition, SMS has agreed to
pay a fi ne of U.S.$1 million and restitution of approximately U.S.$1.5 million.
In December 2006, the Japanese Fair Trade Commission (FTC) searched the
offi ces of more than ten producers and dealers of healthcare equipment, including
Siemens Asahi Medical Technologies Ltd., in connection with an investigation into
possible anti-trust violations. Siemens Asahi Medical Technologies is cooperating
with the FTC in the ongoing investigation.
In February 2007, the French Competition Authority launched an investigation
into possible anti-trust violations involving several companies active in the fi eld
of suburban trains, including Siemens Transportation Systems S.A.S. in Paris,
and the offi ces were searched. The Company is cooperating with the French Com-
petition Authority.
In February 2007, the Norwegian Competition Authority launched an investi-
gation into possible anti-trust violations involving Norwegian companies active in
the fi eld of fi re security, including Siemens Building Technologies AS. The Com-
pany is cooperating in the ongoing investigation with the Norwegian Competition
Authority. The Norwegian Competition Authority has not yet announced a sched-
ule for the completion of the investigation.
In February 2007, the European Commission launched an investigation into
possible anti-trust violations involving European producers of power transform-
ers, including Siemens AG and VA Tech, which Siemens acquired in July 2005. The
German Anti-trust Authority (Bundeskartellamt) has become involved in the pro-
ceeding and is responsible for investigating those allegations which relate to the
German market. Power transformers are electrical equipment used as major com-
ponents in electric transmission systems in order to adapt voltages. The Company
is cooperating in the ongoing investigation with the European Commission and
the German Anti-trust Authority. The European Commission and the German
Anti-trust Authority have not yet announced a schedule for the completion of their
investigation.
In April 2007, Siemens AG and VA Tech fi led actions before the European Court
of First Instance in Luxemburg against the decisions of the European Commission
dated January 24, 2007, to fi ne Siemens and VA Tech for alleged antitrust viola-
tions in the European Market of high-voltage gas-insulated switchgear between
1988 and 2004. Gas-insulated switchgear is electrical equipment used as a
major component for turnkey power substations. The fi ne imposed on Siemens
amounted to €396.6. The fi ne imposed on VA Tech, which Siemens AG acquired in
July 2005, amounted to €22.1. VA Tech was declared jointly liable with Schneider
Electric for a separate fi ne of €4.5. The European Court of First Instance has not
yet issued a decision. Furthermore, authorities in Brazil, New Zealand, the Czech
Republic, Slovakia and South Africa are conducting investigations into the same