Dec 03, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Stora Enso has been ordered to pay a Euro 30 million penalty and Metsäliitto a Euro 21 million penalty for illegal collaboration and exchange of information concerning prices for purchasing roundwood in Finland from 1997 to 2004, Nordic Paper Journal reported. In its ruling issued on December 3, 2009, the Finnish Market Court found that Stora Enso, UPM and Metsäliitto had infringed the Act on Competition Restrictions by exchanging detailed information. The Competition Authority initiated its investigations in spring 2004 by conducting inspections, without notice, at the premises of Metsäliitto and Stora Enso, after receiving a leniency application from UPM. In December 2006, the Competition Authority proposed to the Market Court that it would impose an infringement fine of Euro 30 million on Stora Enso and Euro 21 million on Metsäliitto. According to the Competition Authority, the conduct of these companies constituted a serious restriction of competition during 1997 to 2004 by agreeing on the prices of raw wood and exchanging confidential information related to the wood trade. The Market Court held that the companies were guilty of prohibited co-operation between competitors. According to the Market Court the co-operation between the forestry companies was aimed at keeping the price development of raw wood relatively stable. Both Stora Enso and Metsäliitto will examine the Market Court's ruling before determining whether they will appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court.