Opinion of Advocate General Lenz delivered on 8 July 1993

1 Original language: German.

2 The second defendant in the main proceedings, Correia, Sousa & Crisótomo Limitada, acted as guarantor for the fulfilment of these obligations.

3 OJ 1983 L 173, p. 5.

4 The provision covers agreements which were already in force on 1 July 1983 and provides for exemption until no later than 31 December 1997 (the date on which the regulation expires).

5 Commission Notice concerning Commission Regulations (EEC) No 1983/83 and (EEC) No 1984/83 of 22 June 1983 on the application of Article 85(3) of the Treaty to categories of exclusive distribution and exclusive purchasing agreements (OJ 1984 C 101, p. 2, at point 64 et seq.).

6 Sec point 61 of the Commission's notice, cited in footnote 4.

7 Sec clause 5 of lhe General Conditions appended to the contract, which by virtue of Article 5 of contract constitute an integral part of the contract.

8 Case 10/86 VAC France v Magne [1986] LCR 4071, paragraph 12.

9 Casc C-234/89 Delumlu v Hennmger Bran [1991] ECR I-935, paragraph 14. Sec as long ago as the judgment of 12 December 1967 in Case 23/67 Brasierie De Haechl v Wilkin [1967] ECR 407, at 415.

10 OJ 1993 C 39, p. 6

11 Notice cited in footnote 9, point 38.

12 Notice cited in footnote 9, point 39.

13 Cf. the judgment in VAG France v Magne, cited in footnote 7, paragraph 13.

14 Sec, in particular, the judgment in Case 48/72 Brasserie de Haecht II [1973] ECR 77, paragraph 9.

15 OJ, English Special Edition 1959-62, p. 57.

16 Sec Article 25 of Regulation No 17 and H. Schröter in H. von der Grocbcn/J. Thicsing/C. D. Ehlcrmann (cds), Kommentar zum EWG-Vertrag, fourth edition, Baden-Baden, 1991, Article 85, section 175. and L. Rittcr/F. Rawlinson/W. D. Braun, EEC Competition Laiu, Dcvcntcr/Boston, 1991, p. 713 et seq.

17 Section 15 below relates to agreements which do not benefit by provisional validity.

18 Case 127/73 BRT v SABAM [1974] ECR 51, paragraphs 15 to 17, at 62 and 63.

19 Cited in footnote 8. paragraphs 50 to 54

20 Cited in footnote 9.

21 Case 56/65 Sonete Technique Miniere v Maschinenbau Ulm [1966] ECR 235. at 250.

22 Casc 319/82 Sonete de Vente de Ciments et Bétons v Ker pen & Kerpen [1983] ECR 4173. paragraph 12. and VAC france v Magne, cited in footnote 7, paragraph 15.