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Showing results for:  “digital markets act”

Sometimes words escape me

In a reply to a comment on my post about the proposed burning of the Koran, I condescendingly lectured someone about their claim that the First Amendment might not protect Koran burning because it was akin to shouting “fire” in a crowded theater. Turns out, the commentator has company on the Supreme Court. In an ... Sometimes words escape me

The Microsoft-Google Antitrust Wars and Public Choice: There is Too An Argument Against Rival Involvement in Antitrust Enforcement

How should an economist interpret the fact that Microsoft appears to be “behind” recent enforcement actions against Google in the United States and, especially, in Europe? “With skepticism!”  Is the answer I suspect many readers will offer upon first glance.  There is a long public choice literature, and long history in antitrust itself, that suggests ... The Microsoft-Google Antitrust Wars and Public Choice: There is Too An Argument Against Rival Involvement in Antitrust Enforcement

The Audacity of Nope

Please note that the following post is a bit off-topic for this blog and represents my own opinion only, not that of any of my co-bloggers. But, hey, it’s Saturday. For the past 599 days, we’ve had a talented young Democratic President and Democratic majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. ... The Audacity of Nope

FTC v. Ovation Opinion

The opinion in Ovation (i.e. FTC v. Lundbeck) is now available.  Commentary to follow. UPDATE: The first footnote in Judge Ericksen’s opinion notes that “the FTC and Minnesota began their closing argument by disclaiming the notion that these cases were ‘about unhappiness about the high price of Indocin.’  Nevertheless, the FTC and Minnesota cited in ... FTC v. Ovation Opinion

Some Links

SCOTUS judge and law clerk selection as principal-agent / incomplete contracting problem (Orin Kerr) How to read an academic article (Peter Klein), though what seems missing are decision-rules for when articles should be “rejected” for a full-read after skimming The Washington Post reports that antitrust at the Varney DOJ isn’t much different than antitrust under ... Some Links

The Costs of Product Placement, Maserati Edition

In my academic research, I’ve studied contractual arrangements between manufacturers and retailers for premium shelf space, including slotting arrangements and category management contracts.  Typically, a shelf space arrangement in the retail sector will involve the supplier compensating the retailer for some specified promotional shelving arrangement, e.g. end-caps or eye level space, or a share of ... The Costs of Product Placement, Maserati Edition

Allen on Alchian and the UCLA School

At Econ Journal Watch.   Professor Allen offers a wonderful personal history of the UCLA Economics Department, including the rise and fall of what he describes as “the Alchian Department.”    The entire article is worth reading, but I include here an excerpt from Professor Allen’s Nobel (and University Award) nomination on behalf of Armen: Economics is ... Allen on Alchian and the UCLA School

Government by youth gangs

Aristides N. Hatzis (University of Athens) has a fairly new blog, and it has an interesting post by Russell S. Sobel on Sobel’s and Brian Osaba’s article Youth Gangs as Pseudo-Governments. Here’s the abstract: We hypothesize the failure of government to protect the rights of individuals from violence committed by youths has led to the ... Government by youth gangs

Attention Economists and Grad Students: Thought About Law School?

I have recently joined my colleague Bruce Johnsen as a co director of the Robert A. Levy Fellowship in Law and Liberty at GMU Law.  It is a very generous fellowship for economists who have their PhD’s or “ABD” status to come to law school on our dime along with a stipend of roughly $27,000 ... Attention Economists and Grad Students: Thought About Law School?

The FTC Loses in Ovation Pharmaceuticals

There are some new developments in the Federal Trade Commission’s consummated merger case brought against Ovation.  Namely, the FTC has lost.  TOTM readers may recall that I spent some time criticizing the Federal Trade Commission’s complaint, back in 2008, in FTC v. Ovation in federal district court in Minnesota.  As I described the stylized facts ... The FTC Loses in Ovation Pharmaceuticals

Judicial dissolution of LLCs and the operating agreement

The ever helpful Francis Pileggi brings us news of the Delaware Chancery Court’s recent decision in Lola Cars International Ltd. v. Krohn Racing, LLC, which refused after trial to dissolve an LLC under Delaware §18-802. As I discussed last December, the court previously denied a motion to dismiss the dissolution complaint. I then noted that ... Judicial dissolution of LLCs and the operating agreement

The Law and Economics of Privatizing Alcohol Sales

Economist and occasional TOTM guest blogger Steve Salop (Georgetown) recently sent me the following questions spurred by the local debate over Governor McConnell’s proposal to private the retailing of alcoholic beverages: I have my first antitrust class of the semester tomorrow.  Among the issues I teach the first week are (1) the fact that demand ... The Law and Economics of Privatizing Alcohol Sales