In 2004, Polish monopoly authorities UOKiK fined companies with a record PLN 151 m (EUR 37.1 m). Only PLN 2 m was paid to the entity as nearly all companies appealed to higher instances. ‘This is not because UOKiK is not efficient but the judicial system is not efficient. The system protecting consumers from monopoly companies will never work well if courts do not work quickly’, Cezary Banasinski, UOKiK CEO said. Rafal Iniewski, the head of lawyer office of the Polish confederation of private employer’s PKPP, some decisions made by UOKiK are not well reasoned, which makes it easier to prolong some cases.
UOKiK fined TPSA telecom with a record fine of PLN 54 m in 2001. Higher court cancelled the decision made by UOKiK CEO, and the company did not pay anything. ‘When there are legal possibilities, we use the rights we have and we appeal’, Barbara Gorska, TPSA spokesperson said. Cezary Banasinski, however, believes it is too long court procedure which makes things worse. ‘Not long ago you had to wait six months for the first case, today it is over 12 months. Often you wait several years for the court decision’, UOKiK CEO said. ‘A severe and quickly realised punishment will deter from wrongdoing’, Michal Stolarek, a lawyer from Ozog, Stolarek, Wolniewicz office commented.
(PLN 1 = EUR 0.245)