Syllabus
Registration via LPIS
| Day | Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10/13/26 | 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM | D4.0.019 |
| Wednesday | 10/14/26 | 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM | Online-Einheit |
| Tuesday | 11/03/26 | 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM | D3.0.218 |
| Wednesday | 12/02/26 | 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM | Extern |
| Wednesday | 01/20/27 | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM | D3.0.218 |
| Thursday | 01/21/27 | 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM | D3.3.274 |
Digital platforms have greatly changed competitive dynamics and outcomes. This seminar investigates how competition law needs to adapt to the digital economy. It assesses case law from a comparative perspective, with students investigating the ways in which competition authorities in Europe, the United States and in European Member States have tackled the challenges that digital platforms pose to competition. This particularly concerns abuse of a dominant position/monopolization and merger control. Cases discussed include platforms such as Alphabet/Google, Meta Platforms/Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and others. A specific focus will be on how competition law intervention may affect innovation in digital markets and how it interacts with data protection.
After completing this seminar, students are able to discuss the main challenges that digital markets pose for competition law and how these can be addressed. In particular, they are able to
• understand how digital markets and their characteristics challenge traditional concepts of competition law;
• discuss how competition law can be adapted to tackle the challenges to competition law;
• assess recent and ongoing cases in various competition law jurisdictions that concern digital platforms, and how they impact markets.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all sessions of the course. They may miss three hours overall.
During the first session, students must be present. Students that have not notified the course convenor of their absence during the first session are de-registered from the course.
This is a seminar. Students are introduced to the broad issues arising in competition law in the digital economy, and are then free to choose a recent or ongoing case in this broad area. They then develop a research question in relation to this case, which they investigate in a seminar paper.
To get a sense of ongoing debates in competition law in the digital economy, students attend two events: an online webinar on 14 October 2026, and an in-person conference on 2 December 2026 (at the OeNB).
- Seminar paper (75%)
- Presentation of seminar paper (15%)
- Active participation in class (10%)
Grading
87-100 points Excellent (Sehr gut)
74-86.5 points Good (Gut)
62-73.5 points Satisfactory (Befriedigend)
50.5-61.5 points Sufficient (Genügend)
0-50 points Fail (Nicht genügend)
The course is held in English. Good knowledge of the English language is required to actively participate in the class.
Registration for the course follows the rules of the curriculum. Places are allocated on a „first-come, first-served“ basis.
If you are registered for this course but can no longer participate, please de-register through LPIS during the registration period so other students can take your place.
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