BRUSSELS, Feb 2 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators openedon Thursday three investigations into a group of consumerelectronics makers including Philips, six video gamecompanies, Thomas Cook and three other tour operators onsuspicion of blocking online cross-border sales.
The move came after an inquiry of nearly two years by theEuropean Commission into the e-commerce industry showed thatsuch unfair restrictions were widespread in the 28-country bloc.
"The three investigations opened today by the Commission aimto tackle the specific issues of retail price restrictions,discrimination on the basis of location and geo-blocking," theEU competition enforcer said in a statement.
Companies targeted included Taiwan's Asus, Denon &Marantz, Pioneer, Steam game distribution platformowner Valve Corporation, Bandai Namco, Capcom,Focus Home, Koch Media, ZeniMax, Kuoni,REWE, TUI and Melia Hotels. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Philip Blenkinsop)