The course is held via Zoom. The link is available for enrolled students on MyLearn. Please log on a few minutes before the start of the course.

Competition law seeks to keep markets competitive for the ultimate benefit of customers and consumers. The digitalisation of markets, however, has led to an important number of challenges for competition law. With the rise of the so-called FANGs (Facebook, Apple, Netflix, Google) and other digital platforms, the question poses itself whether the traditional tools of competition law are still workable in the digital economy. Throughout the course, students get to know basic concepts of competition law and how these can be applied in – or need to be adapted to – the digital economy.

Topics covered:
•    Characteristics of digital markets
•    Defining the relevant market for competition law purposes in digital markets
•    The nature of market power in digital markets, especially in digital platforms
•    Anti-competitive agreements in the digital economy
•    Data-driven abuses in competition law
•    Zombie and killer acquisitions in the digital economy
•    Reports on competition law in the digital economy and policy recommendations

After completing this course, 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 the main characteristics of digital markets and these characteristics’ implications for competition law;
•    set out the main hurdles that defining the relevant antitrust market faces in the digital economy;
•    highlight the parameters for assessing the market power of digital platforms;
•    apply their knowledge of anti-competitive behaviour in digital markets to different sets of facts; and
•    join in policy discussions of how to adapt competition law in the digital economy.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all sessions of the course. They may miss one session 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.

The course combines a traditional lecture – especially at the beginning of the course – with an array of interactive elements such as case studies presented by the students and group discussion of current issues in digital markets and competition law. Guest speakers from competition law practice allow the students a glimpse into how practitioners apply competition law in the digital economy.

•    Active participation in class (15%)
•    Presentation of a case study in groups (topics are allocated during the first session) (35%)
•    Open book exam at the end of the semester (50%)

The course is held in English. Good knowledge of the English language is required to actively participate in the class.

It is recommended that students have some basic knowledge of competition law (eg, through the PI “Wettbewerbs,- Kartell- und Immaterialgüterrecht”).

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.