Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency completed online sale market research of cinema tickets, determining the violation of Article 7 of the Law on Competition by three companies, which were imposed a fine of over GEL 1.6 million.

The research revealed that the Distribution Company and Tianeti LTD gave tkt.ge the exclusive right to sales, while the plaintiff, L Biletebi, attempted to win the right to biletebi.ge being in its ownership.

The court terminated the use of exclusive conditions to the Distribution Company, while the plaintiff retained the operating right with the obligation to open the closed market and create a competitive environment.

The agency also recommended ticket sales for various cultural, entertaining, sports, recreation and tourist activities.

The sanctioned companies can complain about the decision in the Tbilisi City Court.

Biletebi.ge released a statement in response to the Competition Agency’s decision, saying it disagrees with the fine but agreed with “a market restrictive agreement” signed between Cinema and TKT.

“Biletebi.ge never intended to restrict the market, and it has never entered into such an agreement. Biletebi.ge was involved in negotiations to have the possibility to sell online tickets, but the deal was never made. Therefore, the agency’s decision in this part is not fair,” it said.