Bill Kovacic: Goals of Antitrust | Neo-Brandeisians | What Makes A Competition Agency Great | DMA

Prof. William E. Kovacic, Global Competition Professor of Law and Policy at the George Washington University Law School, USA, Director, Competition Law Center; Former Non-Executive Director of the Competition and Markets Authority; former Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, USA.
A real pleasure to speak with one of the brightest, sharpest, wittiest minds of global antitrust Prof. Bill Kovacic. It is always such a delight to read and listen to his ideas: full of original metaphors, unexpected examples, humour and amicable irony - and yet strict and uncompromising when it comes to the gist of the point.
Earlier this year I participated at three events with Bill. Two narrowly focused antitrust gatherings, and one thematically much wider, interdisciplinary - and at all three, he was constantly making notes in his copybook, asking nuanced questions, even on the topics far at the periphery of the mainstream antitrust discourse, being truly engaged when others were yawing, checking their phones.
The main topics:
• US antitrust cases against BigTech: which are the most important, which are the most promising, what is at stake - Bill Kovacic’s taxonomy
• US merger control major redesign
• Is BigTech divestiture on the table?
• Why the AT&T cases are not “just” relevant - but really-really relevant for today
• Is the situation in contemporary competition law, economics and policy a truly revolutionary - or it is just one of the typical ‘regulatory cycles’ of the area? Had Prof. Kovacic seen this movie before?
• A holistic summary of the history of US antitrust law
Neo-Brandeisians
• If you have a big idea - keep nurturing it, so that when things change you are ready
• Ideas never die. They might decent, but the next policy shock - and they get recreated
• What does it take to build a new policy school: the elements, the players, the roles
• How did the Neo-Brandeisians “surround” the previously reigning antitrust mainstream actors?
• Building a successful antitrust agency: the ingredients and the recipe of success
• Antitrust enforcer as a music conductor - how do you decide what to play?
• The DMA and large enforcer discretion
• The role of judges in moderating competition policy
• Extraordinary responsibilities of the court in antitrust/DMA - some examples of judging crying (intellectually) for a help (as often society puts too heavy burden of responsibility upon them)
• A simple rule separating good enforcer discretion from bad
• An apocalyptic scenario: what if digital capabilities will be advanced faster by non-democratic regimes? Should liberal democracies be vigilant in this regard?
• Are best agencies practices transferable to other jurisdictions? If yes - what and how?
• What does it make to be a good teacher?
• Recommendations to academics and students
In previous 78th episode (published last Tuesday) we discussed with Prof. Shilpi Bhattacharya the latest development in India’s digital competition law. In the next 80th episode (to be published next week) we’ll have a conversation with another top-tier authority in antitrust - one of the leading practicing lawyers in the area of EU competition law Thomas Vinje.
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The Digital Markets Research Hub is an independent academic initiative aiming at scrutinising the functioning of competition/regulation in digital markets. We host one-to-one interviews with leading policymakers, regulators and practitioners. We also organise online mini-workshops inviting high-profile experts and academics in various fields of digital competition law & policy to discuss the most vibrant issues of the ongoing regulatory reforms in digital markets. While having our clear normative stand on the matters discussed within the hub, we value different views and invite relevant stakeholders and thinkers representing the whole spectrum of reasonable positions on how to regulate competition in digital markets. All our materials are available at KZbin channel, which you are very welcome to subscribe to. This interview is organised & conducted by Prof. Oles Andriychuk, School of Law, University of Exeter.

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All previous episodes (in chronological order): B Kovacic: Goals of Antitrust | Neo-Brandeisians | DMA kzbin.info/www/bejne/pquWd5yOrNaNjqM S Bhattacharya: Discussing India's Digital Competition Bill Competition & Digital Markets kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHLReXyEn9NmhLs G Gürkaynak: Innovation Paradox in Merger Control kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ_bkn-ggJeAbpY Competition & Cloud Computing: F Bonfiglio (Dynamo, ex CEO of Gaia-X) O Aviv (Entero) E Pol (MyData) kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3Ozk32FYsiCpNk K Zenner, European Parliament - EU Digital Laws: Mechanics, Substance and Coherence of Legislation kzbin.info/www/bejne/nF66ZKmHpZuhgKs P Akman, "A Critical Inquiry into ‘Abuse’ in EU Competition Law" | Digital Markets Act kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6mWnGtnZtileLs PhD Café L Hummel: Innovation & Antitrust; P Khandelwal: Interoperability kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHaUY5-Gp65kbaM Platforms or Plantations? Post-Conference Panel: M Snoep, F Scott Morton, P Marsden kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6Wne4GIfZ6Da5o A Sanchez-Graells: Digital Markets & Public Procurement - Gatekeeping & Experimentation kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2Kpi4SLrMmngdU O Schwartz, the Head of the OECD Competition Division: Goals, Priorities and the Main Topics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3y7oXZqoK1gn6M European Elections & the Digital Markets Act: J Espinoza (FT) L Crofts (MLex) S. Stolton (Bloomberg) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKDSf2WXl7ajeqM D Gérard, Prosecutor General of the Belgian Competition Authority: On Competition Policy kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2e4aIl_l9WbfKM DMCCA: Life After Royal Assent | New CMA Guidance: S Long M von Thun L Dimitrova Stoimenova kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKiWloWef9ihmMU F Chirico: The Digital Markets Act: From Strategy & Vision to First Cases kzbin.info/www/bejne/qovMl4Btbspsn6s F Castillo de la Torre: Evidence & Judicial Review in EU Competition Law | DMA Legal Aspects kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2LMlah-a8agd9k J-U-Franck: The DMA & Ant-Circumvention Provisions | § 19a of the German Competition Act kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJm0noeDr6qSnpo Digital Markets in East & Southeast Asia: S Marco Colino, J Galloway, I Szpotakowski kzbin.info/www/bejne/hny0q3iiedSrgdE P Ibáñez Colomo: The Law & Policy of the Digital Markets Act | EU Judicial Review | New Book kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZuViZ99l7KdY6M Discussing India's Draft Digital Competition Bill: Prof. V Kathuria, Manjushree RM, G Plaha kzbin.info/www/bejne/baDPfGtrgNajo9k Herbert Hovenkamp: History & Presence of USA Antitrust Law | Goals & Schools of Competition & more kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHOUfX-ZZ6iofbc EU Data Act through the Prism of the DMA - Inge Graef, Björn Lundqvist, Martina Eckardt kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIqZf5t7Zdunq68 Drawing the Boundaries: the DMA and National Law - M Botta, A Ribera Martínez, G Gryllos kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGSyfIWfidWCjpI L Zingales - The Chicago School | Evolution of Digital Markets: US, EU & India | AI & Antitrust kzbin.info/www/bejne/anWxpJJ_rqtje8k J-F Bellis: History & Future of EU Competition Law through the Prism of Landmark Cases kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6jLeWVqbZZ7fZY. R Repasi, Member of the European Parliament: Digital Markets Act, European Digital Agenda kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIDRdWqvmKt8m68 D Geradin: Digital Markets Act, Compliance Reports & Gatekeepers Strategies, Goals of the DMA kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppbUiXSqn6mmmLc Sport & EU Competition Law: Discussing Latest Cases. B Van Rompuy, H Andersson, S Huijts kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqXch3ypgJqreq8 H Ullrich: History & Juristic Roots of EU Competition Law: Reflections from 70 Years Experience kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqjdq5Rmop2lgK8 C Caffarra: “Antitrust, Regulation & the Next World Order” Event; Is Competition a Side Dish? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqfdoamZbsiNp9k EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation & Antitrust: E de Smijter DG COMP L Hornkohl M Martyniszyn kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5qafY2VhrKMbtk A Mundt, President of German Federal Cartel Office: Reforms in German Digital Competition Law kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWS3dICAes6nipI Denis Sparas (EU Commission, DMA Dir.): Digital Markets Act - First Wave of Cases, First Assessment kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6Wzpqp3jbF9gMU CJEU & Competition Law: Mechanics of the Process - V Terrien, M Serafimova, G Gryllos kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH2omnWdr8eZiK8 H Piffaut, Vice-President of the French Competition Authority: On the Latest in Digital Markets kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJiaf4qOnauNiZo A Komninos: EU Competition Law Key Developments in 2023, Digital Markets Act & Broader Trends kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnu9YWZ8rr-bapo VideoGaming & Competition: Epic v Google; MS/Activision E Pales, A Gizem Yasar, F Ziermann kzbin.info/www/bejne/hauXYZ6beaeckKM Lord Clement-Jones: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill in the House of Lords; AI Rules kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGmlqKNmpKiibbc R Sims, Chair of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (2011/22) kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKGkpaSgdrCGrLc Judicial Review v Full Merits Scrutiny in the DMCCb: P Freeman, C Batchelor & T Fish kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppipkKhpd8h4gJI C Doctorow: Digital Markets Act; Interoperability; Entrenchment; Copyright; "What-About-Ism" kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp6VZKOFasSKga8 O Guersent, Director-General of DG COMP: New Vision - the DMA, Goals of Antitrust, Compliance kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5rLlHmdnqubpc0 Digital Markets & Broader Issues of Internet Governance: L Edwards, I Brown, C Marsden kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH6liZV_ZpKco9k A Bradford, European Markets & Digital Empires - Thinking Globally, Acting Prudently kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKmopWWmm8dqm7Mfeature=shared Unpacking UK Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Bill: R Palmer, I Forrester, S Long kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn6xpIRmp7CFoZY Meta CJEU Judgment - When Competition Meets Privacy: R Nazzini, T Höppner, A D'Amico kzbin.info/www/bejne/iam0g4BtbsyffsU R Whish: Goals of Competition Law, Digital Markets Act, The Role of Technical Expertise & more kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2O9m5RnmbedeMU P Marsden: Comparing EU Digital Markets Act v UK Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Bill kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH_SoHlqraehl7M Ordoliberalism & Competition Law: Past, Present & Future - M Cole, K Horn, A Küsters kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGq9mZqkoZ6Lpa8 G Amato: Antitrust and the Bounds of Power - Past, Present & Future kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYGahWmAncd3itU Art 102 TFEU & Exclusionary Conduct - The Reform: A Witt, G Gürkaynak, M Kadar kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKmXfX6tltCdhaM E Fox: Goals of Antitrust Consumer Welfare v Fairness & Competitive Process; Types of Populism kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4urdKCdZaqLp8k Brazilian Competition Law: V Klein, J Oliveira Domingues, C Mario S. Pereira Neto kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4uWd32iatafeKc A Fletcher: Furman Report 5 Years On; Key Features of Emerging Digital Competition Policy; DMCC kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmiXeYCAfdyfl9k Google AdTech: EU Commission SO. K Bania (Brunel), M Veale (UCL), M Hervé (CRA) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mILQlJ5snLN8eMU Competition Policy in the Media: L Crofts (MLex) J Espinoza (FT) S Stolton (Bloomberg) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2mkp5SKfrWpj7s Unboxing DMCC Bill L Lovdahl-Gormsen, T Smith, D Auer kzbin.info/www/bejne/o56uXqeii61nqa8 M Snoep: A New Vision of Antitrust Enforcement, Regulatory Dialogue, Compliance, Fines, DMA kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYSslJuOlLGgaJY Competition Law & Digital Regulation in India: S Bhattacharya, R Sethia, A Sakle kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIGwkqiKfNx3hdk I Lianos: Regulating Competition in Digital Markets; Polycentric & Inter-Ecosystem Competition kzbin.info/www/bejne/en7QmYKMqr2Lrqs Digital Markets Act & Data-Related Obligations: Natalia Moreno, Jan Krämer, Chris Riley kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYSrXqqLlMpja80 DMCC Bill M Curtis (BEIS) co-drafter of the bill kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2KknXifnNB2jKc G Monti, O Brook, M Eben: The History of the Future: the DMA & National Competition Laws kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2mxY55tZcp7p9U O Bethell, Google Head of Competition EMEA: Is the DMA a Challenge or an Opportunity? Interview kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHW7aaeoett2q8U The 11th Amendment to the German Competition Act GWB A Komninos, R Podszun, S Gappa kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5C7pWOqh5x6bJo Video Game Industry and Digital Competition Law: F Bostoen, A Thomas, A Ribera Martínez kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6vMc5ihgNR6p9U J Ryan: AdTech, GDPR, 3rd Party Cookies, Real-Time Bidding, Privacy Sandbox, Programmatic ads kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXSXeWN8bKyLp8U App Store Gatekeepers & the EU Digital Markets Act: V Robertson, B Evans, T Cowen kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWGvnIygpsd1hZY The DMA & Interoperability in Messaging Services: A Reyna, E Garcés, S Vezzoso kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIq5dGRrjJ2cicU A Schwab: Conversation on the Digital Markets Act and EU Digital Competition Policy DMA kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3LPnJesnNt5otE Digital Services Act & Digital Markets Act: Comparing the Incomparable? M Husovec, I Buri, M Leiser kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3zWiWukjZV7hM0 A de Streel on the Digital Markets Act | Compliance | EU Law | Regulation | Antitrust DMA kzbin.info/www/bejne/qni8mpSwi7tke8k N Dunne, M S Ferro, J Lindeboom: DB Station case: between Competition & Regulation kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3TZkICAm5mSoNE T Valletti: the Digital Markets Act, Economics of Antitrust, Experts as Agents kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3ysq4l5m814orM DMA & Self-Preferencing: V Turner (BEUC), D Sparas (DMA TaskForce), G M Borges kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIbam4asptGsaKs ' Procedural Aspects of the DMA': M Botta, F Di Porto, H Mostyn kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXivk4t7jrKJqtU C Caffarra On the effectiveness and enforceability of the Digital Markets Act kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGLZnoJ7ibqArtk R Podszun: Digital Markets Act, New German Competition Law, privacy & antitrust kzbin.info/www/bejne/i17ai6qMjbKDpdk Digital Markets Act: Quo Vadis? A Malheiro DMA Task Force, Dr A Komninos &.D Geradin kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4ixdnSmeLWWl5Y Conversation with a former Vice-President of DuckDuckGo M Gray on the state of competition in online search engine markets kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6CznKt9arR_gtU