CELS Webinar: 'The antitrust market does not exist... so why should we define one? Market definition's sense and nonsense in digital markets'

Location: Online/Faculty of Law, G24

Title: 'The antitrust market does not exist... so why should we define one? Market definition's sense and nonsense in digital markets'

Speaker: Dr Magali Eben, Glasgow University 

Biography: 

Dr Magali Eben is Lecturer in Competition Law at the University of Glasgow, where she teaches UK and EU competition law and US antitrust law. Her current research focuses on antitrust in digital markets, market definition, national and international divergences in competition law, the challenges for competition law created by innovation and technology and legal certainty and coherence in competition law. She is currently writing a book on market definition in digital markets, based on her PhD completed at the University of Leeds. Magali is co-director of the UK Chapter of ASCOLA (the Academic Society for Competition Law). ASCOLA is a global organisation with several regional chapters. ASCOLA's website is https://ascola.org/. ASCOLA UK can be found on Twitter or on LinkedIn. In addition to her academic work, Magali consults for UK and Belgian law firms, both in the area of competition law and EU law more broadly.

Abstract: 

Market definition is often considered routine (and to some even boring) and yet it remains a source of controversy and debate. Some argue market definition is not necessary, since we can identify market power through more direct means. Even worse, others say it is not only not necessary, it is counter-productive. Often these discussions overlook not just the broader utility of markets (beyond market power) but also that its beauty lies exactly in its fictional character. There is no such thing as an ‘antitrust market’. Markets are merely analytical tools, which serve to structure available evidence and enable a comprehensive answer to a particular question. They do not exist as such in the real world but are figments of our intellectual imagination. In that capacity, they can be immensely useful. This talk will discuss the usefulness of market definition, before applying that framework to the specific challenges in digital markets.

Magali will be delivering her talk live in G24**, but also via Zoom (link below).

**please note that those wishing to come along to this event in person are advised to take a lateral flow test at least 24hrs prior to attendance to ensure that they do not have covid.

Zoom Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IWtEEiAsSP6REhow9Xu8eA