Showing results for: “digital markets act”
FTC Economists’ Paper Discredits Claims of Inappropriately “Weak” Merger Enforcement
During 2016 it became fashionable in certain circles to decry “lax” merger enforcement and to call for a more aggressive merger enforcement policy (see, for example, the American Antitrust Institute’s September 2016 paper on competition policy, critiqued by me in this blog post). Interventionists promoting “tougher” merger enforcement have cited Professor John Kwoka’s 2015 book, ... FTC Economists’ Paper Discredits Claims of Inappropriately “Weak” Merger Enforcement
“Google and Antitrust” roundtable at AALS
I will be participating in a wide-ranging discussion of Google and antitrust issues at the upcoming AALS meeting in New Orleans in January. The Antitrust and Economic Regulation Section of the AALS is hosting the roundtable, organized by Mike Carrier. Mike and I will be joined by Marina Lao, Frank Pasquale, Pam Samuelson, and Mark ... “Google and Antitrust” roundtable at AALS
New Insights on Bargaining for Patented Technology Licenses Provide Additional Reasons to Question Anti-Patent Scenarios
Discussion In recent years, U.S. government policymakers have recounted various alleged market deficiencies associated with patent licensing practices, as part of a call for patent policy “reforms” – with the “reforms” likely to have the effect of weakening patent rights. In particular, antitrust enforcers have expressed concerns that: (1) the holder of a patent covering ... New Insights on Bargaining for Patented Technology Licenses Provide Additional Reasons to Question Anti-Patent Scenarios
FTC Mobile Payments Workshop on April 26, 2012
The Federal Trade Commission conference announcement is below; note that public comments on the date of the conference. This is an important space and should attract some excellent speakers. The topics suggest a greater focus on consumer protection than competition issues. Here is the announcement: The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop on April ... FTC Mobile Payments Workshop on April 26, 2012
“A Line in the Sand on the Calls for New Patent Legislation,” by Wayne Sobon
Over at the blog for the Center for the Protection for Intellectual Property, Wayne Sobon, the Vice President and General Counsel of Inventergy, has posted an important essay that criticizes the slew of congressional bills that have been proposed in Congress in recent months. In A Line in the Sand on the Calls for New Patent ... “A Line in the Sand on the Calls for New Patent Legislation,” by Wayne Sobon
FTC: Technology & Reform Project Launches 12/16 with Conference Keynoted by Commissioner Wright
Please join us at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC on December 16th for a conference launching the year-long project, “FTC: Technology and Reform.” With complex technological issues increasingly on the FTC’s docket, we will consider what it means that the FTC is fast becoming the Federal Technology Commission. The FTC: Technology & Reform Project ... FTC: Technology & Reform Project Launches 12/16 with Conference Keynoted by Commissioner Wright
“FTC: Technology & Reform” Agenda Available for 12/16 Event with Current/Former FTC Commissioners Wright, Muris & Kovacic
As it begins its hundredth year, the FTC is increasingly becoming the Federal Technology Commission. The agency’s role in regulating data security, privacy, the Internet of Things, high-tech antitrust and patents, among other things, has once again brought to the forefront the question of the agency’s discretion and the sources of the limits on its power.Please join us this Monday, December ... “FTC: Technology & Reform” Agenda Available for 12/16 Event with Current/Former FTC Commissioners Wright, Muris & Kovacic
New Paper on SSOs, SEP and Antitrust by Joanna Tsai & Joshua Wright
An important new paper was recently posted to SSRN by Commissioner Joshua Wright and Joanna Tsai. It addresses a very hot topic in the innovation industries: the role of patented innovation in standard setting organizations (SSO), what are known as standard essential patents (SEP), and whether the nature of the contractual commitment that adheres to a ... New Paper on SSOs, SEP and Antitrust by Joanna Tsai & Joshua Wright
Abuse of Dominance by Patentees: A Pro-Innovation Perspective
In my just-published article in The Antitrust Source, I argue that the law and economics literature on patents and error cost analysis demonstrate that the recent focus by U.S. (and foreign) antitrust enforcers on single-firm patent abuses is misplaced, and may reduce incentives to innovate. I recommend that antitrust enforcers focus instead on restrictions among ... Abuse of Dominance by Patentees: A Pro-Innovation Perspective
Time for the FTC to Reform its Advertising Substantiation Program
In my just published Heritage Foundation Legal Memorandum, I argue that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should substantially scale back its overly aggressive “advertising substantiation” program, which disincentivizes firms from providing the public with valuable information about the products they sell. As I explain: “The . . . [FTC] has a long history of ... Time for the FTC to Reform its Advertising Substantiation Program
Heritage Foundation January 29 Conference on Obama Administration Antitrust Enforcement Record
During the 2008 presidential campaign Barack Obama criticized the Bush Administration for “the weakest record of antitrust enforcement of any administration in the last half century” and promised “to reinvigorate antitrust enforcement.” In particular, he singled out allegedly lax monopolization and merger enforcement as areas needing improvement, and also vowed “aggressive action to curb the ... Heritage Foundation January 29 Conference on Obama Administration Antitrust Enforcement Record
March 31 Heritage Foundation Speech by FTC Commissioner Ohlhausen on U.S. Supreme Court’s North Carolina Dental Decision
In a recent post, I explained how the U.S. Supreme Court’s February 25 opinion in North Carolina Dental Board v. FTC (holding that a state regulatory board controlled by market participants must be “actively supervised” by the state to receive antitrust immunity) struck a significant blow against protectionist rent-seeking and for economic liberty. Maureen Ohlhausen, ... March 31 Heritage Foundation Speech by FTC Commissioner Ohlhausen on U.S. Supreme Court’s North Carolina Dental Decision
