20However, before so doing, it should be noted that it is apparent from the Court’s case-law that the purpose of the various conditions listed in Article 3a(1) of Directive 84/450 under which comparative advertising is permitted is to achieve a balance between the different interests which may be affected by allowing comparative advertising. Thus, it is apparent from a reading of recitals 2, 7 and 9 in the preamble to Directive 97/55 that the aim of Article 3a of Directive 84/450 is to stimulate competition between suppliers of goods and services to the consumer’s advantage, by allowing competitors to highlight objectively the merits of various comparable products while, at the same time, prohibiting practices which may distort competition, be detrimental to competitors and have an adverse effect on consumer choice (L’Oréal and Others, paragraph 68).
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