How antitrust shapes the EU Digital Single Market
Bruges, Belgium
13-15 July 2020
What is the Competition Policy and High-Tech markets course?
The European Commission has set the priority to eliminate barriers that
prevent Europe from fully reaping the benefits of the internet and
digital technologies. As the Commission itself has stated, online
barriers mean citizens miss out on goods and services, internet companies
and start-ups have their horizons limited, and businesses and governments
see immense foregone benefits in terms of competitiveness and productivity.
The Competition Policy and High-Tech Markets course serves for participants
to understand how competition policy can be an effective tool to further the
objective of a Digital Single Market in the European Union,
promoting competitive markets, fostering innovation
and generally enhancing
market efficiency to the benefits of European consumers.
By attending the course on Competition Policy and High-Tech Markets,
participants will discuss and gradually understand the power that
competition policy can have as a transformative tool, prohibiting
conduct that raises online barriers between different EU Member
States, reviewing mergers or acquisition that could further strengthen
market power on new technologies or ensure that companies do not use their
dominance to reduce interoperability with a view to restrict competition.
Moreover, participants will discuss the role of algorithms in
cartels and in abuse of dominance cases, as well
as the treatment of online markets in merger control.
This course also deals with antitrust and Intellectual Property, examining the latest cases and how antitrust enforcers should ensure that the application of competition law to IP rights does not result in affording less protection to these rights, which are fundamental to ensure innovation and growth.
Which methodology is used?
High level experienced professionals lead participants
through a curriculum based on the latest developments and trends of competition
policy in high tech markets.
To enhance the experience, the programme mixes regular classes, interactive
sessions and keynote speeches/dinner talks,
which provide an ideal discussion platform between the
participants and high-level experts from academia, industry and institutions.
The programme is designed to be as interactive as possible.
Active participation is required and a variety of workshops and
case studies are scheduled. Networking opportunities are
strongly encouraged throughout the course.
Different training methodologies are combined to guarantee a dynamic approach:
- Interactive training sessions on issues related to the Digital Single Market and competition matters;
- Workshops and case studies which will offer insights on the relation between competition law and the EU Digital Single Market;
- Individual and collective feedback is a key part of the exercise giving participants the opportunity to enhance their personal learning experience;
- Active debates between lecturers and participants.
Why participate?
The course on Competition Policy and High-Tech Markets will enable participants to gain insights on the impact of competition policy on the EU Digital Single Market through interaction with prominent experts in the field.
Through this programme, participants will have an opportunity to:
- Analyse recent competition cases in different areas - e.g. online sales and big data and their practical implications on everyday work;
- Obtain cutting-edge advice and insights on how a relevant national authority can address the competition related issues in IT Markets;
- Enhance know-how on crucial aspects of the Digital Single Market, including big data and merger control, distribution in the digital age, etc.;
- Enjoy a unique opportunity to learn in a multicultural environment and extend their personal and professional networks;
- Receive a certificate from the College of Europe upon successful completion of the course.
