Showing archive for: “EU”
Predatory pricing reform rides the Marrakech Express
As I noted in my prior post, two weeks ago the 13th Annual Conference of the International Competition Network (ICN) released two new sets of recommended best practices. Having focused on competition assessment in my prior blog entry, I now turn to the ICN’s predatory pricing recommendations. Aggressive price cutting is the essence of competitive ... Predatory pricing reform rides the Marrakech Express
Terry Calvani and Angela Diveley on Injury to Competition and Efficiencies in Section 5 Claims
We welcome Commissioner Wright’s contribution in making the important point that the Commission’s unfair methods of competition (UMC) jurisdiction under Section 5 of the FTCA should be subject to limiting principles. We make two observations about the policy statement and a more general observation about the FTC in light of its upcoming 100th anniversary. The ... Terry Calvani and Angela Diveley on Injury to Competition and Efficiencies in Section 5 Claims
The price of closing the Google search antitrust case: questionable precedent on patents
The Federal Trade Commission yesterday closed its investigation of Google’s search business (see my comment here) without taking action. The FTC did, however, enter into a settlement with Google over the licensing of Motorola Mobility’s standards-essential patents (SEPs). The FTC intends that agreement to impose some limits on an area of great complexity and vigorous ... The price of closing the Google search antitrust case: questionable precedent on patents
FTC Deservedly Closes Google Antitrust Investigation Without Taking Action
I have been a critic of the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into Google since it was a gleam in its competitors’ eyes—skeptical that there was any basis for a case, and concerned about the effect on consumers, innovation and investment if a case were brought. While it took the Commission more than a year and ... FTC Deservedly Closes Google Antitrust Investigation Without Taking Action
Let The Music Play: Critics Of Universal-EMI Merger Are Singing Off-Key
There are a lot of inaccurate claims – and bad economics – swirling around the Universal Music Group (UMG)/EMI merger, currently under review by the US Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission (and approved by regulators in several other jurisdictions including, most recently, Australia). Regulators and industry watchers should be skeptical of analyses that ... Let The Music Play: Critics Of Universal-EMI Merger Are Singing Off-Key
Some Links
Competition on layaway fees Price discrimination over restaurant reservation times (HT: NY Times) Steve Calabresi & Larissa Price on the history of government granted monopolies and the constitution A settlement in the EU E-books investigation?
Top 10 Papers for Journal of Antitrust: Antitrust Law & Policy eJournal (June 4, 2012 to August 3, 2012)
HT: Danny Sokol. TOP 10 Papers for Journal of Antitrust: Antitrust Law & Policy eJournal June 4, 2012 to August 3, 2012. Rank Downloads Paper Title 1 244 The Antitrust/Consumer Protection Paradox: Two Policies at War with Each Other Joshua D. Wright, George Mason University – School of Law, Faculty, Date posted to database: May 31, ... Top 10 Papers for Journal of Antitrust: Antitrust Law & Policy eJournal (June 4, 2012 to August 3, 2012)
New Technology in Europe
Last week the New York Times ran an article, “Building the Next Facebook a Tough Task in Europe“, by Eric Pfanner, discussing the lack of major high tech innovation in Europe. Eric Pfanner discusses the importance of such investment, and then speculates on the reason for the lack of such innovation. The ultimate conclusion is ... New Technology in Europe
I Will be Participating Today on the Live Webcast “This Week in Law”
Today at 11AM PT I will be participating on the live webcast “This Week in Law” along with TechFreedom Senior Adjunct Fellow Larry Downes. Denise Howell will be hosting and we will also be joined by fellow participant Evan Brown. This week we will be discussing various topics in tech policy including Senator Al Franken’s ... I Will be Participating Today on the Live Webcast “This Week in Law”
Europe Should Let Competition Run Its Course In Motorola Patent Dispute
On Tuesday the European Commission opened formal proceedings against Motorola Mobility based on its patent licensing practices surrounding some of its core cellular telephony, Internet video and Wi-fi technology. The Commission’s concerns, echoing those raised by Microsoft and Apple, center on Motorola’s allegedly high royalty rates and its efforts to use injunctions to enforce the ... Europe Should Let Competition Run Its Course In Motorola Patent Dispute
The DOJ’s Problematic Attack on Property Rights Through Merger Review
The DOJ’s recent press release on the Google/Motorola, Rockstar Bidco, and Apple/ Novell transactions struck me as a bit odd when I read it. As I’ve now had a bit of time to digest it, I’ve grown to really dislike it. For those who have not followed Jorge Contreras had an excellent summary of events ... The DOJ’s Problematic Attack on Property Rights Through Merger Review
Privacy in Europe
The EU is apparently thinking of adopting common and highly restrictive privacy standards which would make use of information by firms much more difficult and would require, for example, that data be retained only as long as necessary. This is touted as pro-consumer legislation. However, the effects would be profoundly anti-consumer. For one thing, ads ... Privacy in Europe
