Connected Audio Visual Pty Ltd has admitted to engaging in resale price maintenance. The company did this by communicating that it would not supply retailers who did not agree to terms requiring them to sell products at specified prices.
The ACCC accepted a court enforceable undertaking addressing this conduct.
In April 2025, the technology solutions provider sent emails to 258 retailers proposing changes to certain clauses in their distribution agreements. Connected Audio Visual asked these retailers to agree to advertising certain products online, such as dash cams and subwoofers, at the recommended retail price. Existing retailers who did not respond to the emails had their accounts put on hold and in one instance, when the retailer did not agree, closed.
Under Australia's competition laws, it is illegal for suppliers to prevent, or attempt to prevent, retailers from advertising or selling goods below a specific price. This conduct is known as resale price maintenance.
Between April and September 2025, in response to Connected Audio Visuals conduct, 178 existing and 31 new retailers entered into agreements containing resale price maintenance clauses with Connected Audio Visual.
"Recommended resale prices are only suggestions, and suppliers are generally prohibited from trying to force distributors to adopt them," ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.
"As we have seen in this instance, suppliers often do this by pausing or cancelling accounts with businesses who refuse to comply."
"We enforce these laws to protect consumers from higher costs, which can happen when retailers are prevented from competing on price," Mr Keogh said.
"We will continue to take decisive action against companies who flout our competition laws utilising the full suite of enforcement actions available to us."
The undertaking, which is in effect for three years, requires Connected Audio Visual to remove the clauses of concern from its distribution agreements and price lists and to inform its retailers it has done so. Connected Audio Visual is also required to implement a compliance program to help it comply with the Competition and Consumer Act.
A copy of the undertaking is available at Connected Audio Visual Pty Ltd.
Background
The ACCC first received a complaint about the conduct in April 2025.
In addition to providing entertainment, security and energy management solutions for homes and businesses in NSW, Connected Audio Visual also supplies car audio and dash cam products to independent retailers across the country. It is the exclusive Australian distributor of IROAD and MB Quart products - dash cam and car audio brands respectively.
Connected Audio Visual admits that it engaged in resale price maintenance and cooperated with the ACCC throughout the investigation.
It is illegal for businesses of any size to impose minimum prices for the resale of their goods or services. For example, suppliers must not:
- set minimum prices in formal policies or agreements;
- offer retailers a discount if they sell at or above a minimum price;
- refuse to supply retailers that sell below a minimum price; or
- punish retailers for selling below a set price, for example, by taking away a discount or sending a warning.
Suppliers can recommend appropriate prices including, for example, by providing a recommended resale price (RRP) list. More information on minimum resale prices can be found on our website.
