While Europe and the US are already under a lot if not all of these terms, Australia seems to be under some pressure now from GW to bring their terms to retailers there. While I am not in Australia, it makes it harder to comment directly on the actions and conditions of stores there, but lets take a look at what is going on.
GW is attempting to stop its independent stockists from offering bits, painting services or online stores similar to what was done in the US and Europe. There is a lot of legal speak following, and to be honest its not my cup of tea.
http://registers.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1178319/fromItemId/776499
These are the new proposed terms (Starts at the bottom of page 2);
http://registers.accc.gov.au/content/trimFile.phtml?trimFileTitle=D14+59305.pdf&trimFileFromVersionId=1180413&trimFileName=D14+59305.pdf
http://registers.accc.gov.au/content/trimFile.phtml?trimFileTitle=D14+103741.pdf&trimFileFromVersionId=1180413&trimFileName=D14+103741.
Please note that all the above pdfs can be found on the public Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website from the first link.
Here are some interesting quotes from the documents.
"The notified conduct does not have the purpose of substantially
lessening competition. Further, it is GWOP's view that the notified
conduct will not have, or be likely to have, the substantial lessening
of competition."
"B&M stores will be encouraged to increase their range of services in
order to get larger discounts (no specfic amount of discounts are
mentioned.) "As a result customers will benefit from the higher
standard of service and support"
The new way of business will "offer consumers a high professional
level of service" as well as "reduce the risk of Distance Selling
Channel Outlets free riding on the investment made by Shop Front
Channel Outlets"
More interesting quotes when asked for more information
GW recognises the following as substitutable products;
Heroclix, Mage Knight, Star Trek Attack Wing, Monsterapocoloypse,
Warmachine, Hordes, Iron Kingdom, Flames of War, Dust, Smallworld,
Ticket to Ride, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars X Wing, Dark Crusade,
Carcassone, Dominion, Axis and Allies, Battlecry, Diplomacy, Risk,
Spartacus, Firefly, plastic model kits, model trains, model scenery,
diecast models, millitary action figures, radio controlled vehicles,
Magic the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh, Star Wars: The
old republic, World of Warcraft, Starcraft, The Eldar Scrolls and
Fallout.
"GWOP submits that there is no discernible public detriment in the
proposed conduct"
"Consumers remain freely able to buy Hobby Products from a number of
other third parties"
GWs response regarding the above list of products;
"The competitive suppliers listed in the Notification offer similar
experiences to GWOP in relation to Hobby Products and Hobby
Activities, however the Hobby Products and Hobby Activities which
customers invest their time and money in are interchangeable. All
Hobby Products within the Hobby Activities market may be substitutable
for one another."
"To give an example, "Magic: The Gathering" (as referenced in section
S(a)(iv)(A)(l) of the
Notification) is a very popular collectible card game produced by
Wizards of the Coast (a subsidiary of Hasbro) and sold by almost every
Trade Account of GWOP. It is sold in the form of starter decks of
cards, booster packs of cards, and individual cards. The cards are
collected to form "decks" which are used to play in competitive game
against opponents. These cards directly compete with the products sold
by GWOP."
