Platform Economy and Cohesion of European Competition Policy, 23.5.2017

Platforms and platform economy have been topical issues in the implementation of competition policy during recent years and nothing suggests that the interest in these questions is fading. As a result of increased digitalization, the nature competition has to an increasing extent evolved to a process between networks, vertical supply chains, or combinations of these.

These developments pose challenges both to the role and implementation of competition law. An important question is to what extent such a new economy brings new elements into the assessment of horizontal agreements, for example regarding exchange of information or cooperation agreements, and of vertical agreements, such as exclusivity agreements.

In applying competition law, the competition authorities and courts should possess a thorough knowledge of the nature and aspects of platforms and their internal logic. Efficiency-enhancing business practices have to be correctly distinguished from and weighed against alleged competition restrictions.

Keynote speakers

Professor Dr., Director Justus Haucap, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE), Universität Düsseldorf

Professor Doris Hildebrand, Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB)

Professor Anne Kovalainen, Turku School of Economics, University of Turku

Mr. Massimiliano Kadar, Case Handler, European Commission, DG COMP, and Visiting Fellow, King’s College, London