Deutsche Post mail monopoly challenged

Private delivery companies plan to take all possible steps to prevent the
prolonging of the monopoly held by Deutsche Post AG, the German post office,
in the delivery of letters weighing less than 200 grams. Harald Busse, head
of Hessischer Postvertrieb (HPV), is approaching the EU court of law to
contest Deutsche Post’s monopoly.
Mr Busse had applied to the German postal regulatory body for a licence for
his investment company, Agil, to allow the delivery of letters in the
abovementioned category (for which Deutsche Post holds a monopoly until
end-2002), but his application was turned down in December. Mr Busse
believes that German law governing the postal sector contravenes EU
guidelines, which state that a mail monopoly is acceptable only if this is
the only way of ensuring the necessary standard of service.
Abstracted from Wirtschaftswoche in German. Copyright 2001 Financial Times
Information, Dow Jones, Dialog. Source: World Reporter (Trade Mark)
WIRTSCHAFTSWOCHE, 01st February 2001