Antitrust Enforcement and Big Tech Companies

Last Friday, November 16th, at the Faculty of Law of the University Roma Tre of Rome, Prof Parcu gave a talk at the International Seminar “Antitrust Enforcement and Big Tech Companies“. The Seminar, organized by Prof Margherita Colangelo (Roma Tre University) and Prof Mariateresa Maggiolino (Bocconi University) was  opened by the keynote speech of Prof William Kovacic (George Washington University) which discussed future directions for US antitrust policy in the light of the FTC’s experience of the last 40 years; the introduction was followed by speakers from academia, industry and public institutions presenting different perspectives on the topic: Dr. Marianela Lopez-Galdos (Computer & Communications Industry Association), Dr. Massimiliano Kadar (DG Competition of the European Commission and King’s College London), Prof Mariateresa Maggiolino (Bocconi University) and Prof Ioannis Lianos (University College London). The Seminar was closed by the Commissioner of the Italian Antitrust Authority Gabriella Muscolo. Among the speakers, Prof Parcu’s contribution addressed digital challenges to media plurality and focused on which role antitrust enforcement could play in the current scenario: while digital threats to the markets and to competition are still a controversial issue, digital threats to media plurality and democracies, and especially to the fairness of the electoral process, appear more likely. Therefore, on the basis of a reasonable precautionary principle, a special reconsideration of the role of regulation and competition law in promoting and protecting competition in the market for media, and consequently market plurality and quality information, is possible and suggested.

Download the programme for the event