The Digital Economy in EU-Competition Law

The Digital Economy is data driven. New data-based digital markets emerge and provide consumer benefits. But network effects result in new dominant market players. Are traditional competition law principles like market power, dominance and abuse sufficiently robust to address the new challenges? Do we need to adapt?
Based on a solid introduction into the general principles of competition law (normative and political/economic setting) we will discuss leading cases from both the EU and Germany. The interplay with data protection/privacy and other selected issues linked to competition law will be debated. The participants should be enabled to both understand the structural arguments (competition law as a regulatory tool) and the legal problems with a view to critically assess the ongoing debate.

The Postgraduate Master of European Studies is a one-year full time/two-year part time MA programme that equips a class of approximately 25 students with an in depth, interdisciplinary knowledge about the European Union. In a unique cooperation, Freie Universität Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin have jointly offered the programme since 1998. The curriculum is geared towards students interested in developing EU-related expertise for subsequent employment in public administration, non-governmental organisations or business. On-the-job experience and networking are integral elements of the programme.

As of October 2018 the programme offers individual courses and modules to an audience seeking further education of EU-related matters.