Developing new directions in the analysis of competition law and policy in the areas of the New Economy and the internet.

Abstract

This thesis examines the application and interrelationship of competition law and policy and the areas of the New Economy and the Internet. The aim is to further develop and elevate the existing discussion in relation to competition law and policy in these areas under examination. The thesis attempts to develop competition law and policy into new directions and dimensions in their application within the New Economy and Internet areas, and to conduct this under an elevated analytical perspective. In attempting to do so, the thesis identifies and enquires into concepts and implications; strategies and commercial formations and actions, which emerge from technological progress in a continuously transformative and dynamic, complex and usually interdependent highly technological business ecosystem. Among others, the thesis examines jurisdictional implications arising out of E-commerce and the global character of New Economy markets; discusses the issue of market definition analysis and examines the implications raised by the specific characteristics of the relevant areas such as interconnectivity; introduces the „Systems‟ approach of analysis of market formations created by companies operating in interconnected and interdependent highly technological markets and analyses certain complex market phenomena and practices; enquires into the role of intermediary information agents in E-commerce and examines certain market formations and practices concerned with the manipulation of information availability and with these agents‟ market position; assesses earlier responses given and the approach taken on the application of competition law in the areas of the New Economy and the Internet, and enquires into issues that have been left out of the relevant discussion until now.