Seminar objectives

Competition in major digital markets is different in some ways from competition in more traditional markets.  This sector often includes platform-based business models, multi-sided markets, network effects and economies of scale which render competition issues more complex and often interrelated with consumer protection. Moreover, digital markets are characterised by high rates of investment and innovation, which lead to rapid technological progress in the sector, and to increased disruptive innovation.

This seminar will explore a number of issues that can be traced back to digitalisation: competition policy challenges, the increased role of data, additional criteria for assessing vertical restraints, competition advocacy in digital markets and the relationship between consumers and online platforms. Particular attention will be devoted to the recent evolution of the EU case law.