(1) The following parties shall participate in the appeal proceedings:
1. the appellant,
2. the competition authority whose decision is being appealed,
3. persons and associations of persons whose interests are substantially affected by the decision and who, upon their application, have been admitted to the proceedings by the competition authority.
(2) If an appeal is directed against a decision of a supreme Land authority or a decision issued by the appellate court concerning a decision of a supreme Land authority, the Bundeskartellamt shall also be a party to the proceedings.
(3) In addition to natural and legal persons, associations of persons without legal capacity shall also have the capacity to participate in appeal proceedings.