EU court criticises Booking.com's pricing curbs saying they may hinder competition 

Despite heavy criticism, the court also said that the restrictions are not anti-competitive under EU law

The pricing rules prevented hotels from offering lower rates to customers through their websites or on rival sites. 

Accommodation website Booking.com's restrictions against hotels offering lower rates on their websites or on rival sites are unnecessary and could reduce competition, Europe's top court said in a ruling targeting a widely used practice in the industry.

However, the court also said that the restrictions are not anti-competitive under EU law.