Between 2000 and 2004, several photocopy paper manufacturers who sold their products in the Asia-Pacific region met and formed a price-fixing cartel that referred to itself as the “AAA Club” (“Tripla A Club”).  Both the Korea Fair Trade Commission (“KFTC”) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched investigations into the cartel activity, which included AAA Club meetings where systematic, sophisticated, and long-running cartel arrangements were made regarding supply in specific countries including Australia and Korea.  Between 2008 and 2011, both agencies’ investigations ultimately led to fines imposed on the cartel members.
 
Enforcement Highlights

• Australia’s Federal Court imposed fines totaling $8.2 million AUD on three of the photocopy paper producers participating in the cartel.
• The KFTC imposed fines totaling ₩3.9 billion on four photocopy paper producers, including two sanctioned by the Federal Court in Australia.