Roland controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
CMA fines Roland and Korg for resale price maintenance
Fine or penalty
The UK Competition and Markets Authority fined Roland and Korg for implementing resale price maintenance that restricted retailers' freedom to set online prices. According to the source, Roland restricted pricing of electronic drum kits and accessories from January 2011 to April 2018, while Korg did so for music equipment and synthesizers from June 2015 to April 2018. The reported conduct concerned limits on retailers' ability to set their own online prices for the relevant products during those periods.
Source excerpt
The watchdog said Roland restricted pricing of its electronic drum kits and accessories between January 2011 and April 2018, while Korg did the same for its hi-tech music equipment and synthesizers between June 2015 and April 2018.
Roland and Korg have been fined £5.5m by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) watchdog for breaking competition law in the UK.
2020
CMA fines Roland £4 million for resale price maintenance
Fine or penalty
The Competition and Markets Authority said it fined Roland £4 million for illegally manipulating online resale prices through resale price maintenance. The CMA said the fine was increased because senior management was involved and the conduct was intentional; Roland admitted breaking the law and cooperated with the investigation.
Source excerpt
We recently fined Roland, a supplier of electronic music equipment, £4 million for breaking the law by manipulating online resale prices in this way.
Between 7 January 2011 and 17 April 2018, Roland set minimum prices for its electronic drum kits, related components and accessories and told resellers not to sell below these prices.
Roland admitted to breaking the law, and cooperated with the CMA’s investigation, and its fine was reduced to reflect this.