Time To Play Fair Vis-a-Vis Spotify vs Apple

In this post the authors discuss the recent investigation by the European Commission in the matter of Spotify v. Apple, which has resurfaced the issue of the dominance established by the few Big Technologies. Efforts made by the competition regulators in European Union, the United States, United Kingdom and India to reduce this Big Tech dominance have so far been abortive. This article delves into the unsolved ambiguities in this area in the backdrop of the Spotify v. Apple case. Continue reading Time To Play Fair Vis-a-Vis Spotify vs Apple

Corporate Influence and Behavioural Economics as Drivers of Competition: A Case Study of Jio Mart

By: A. Swetha Meenal INTRODUCTION Cited as the biggest FDI in the Indian technology sector so far, Competition Commission of India’s (hereinafter ‘CCI’) approval of the acquisition of 9.99% in Jio by Jadhu Holdings LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Facebook, has raised several eyebrows in the context of data concentration and its effects on privacy. Given the unparalleled market power of both the entities … Continue reading Corporate Influence and Behavioural Economics as Drivers of Competition: A Case Study of Jio Mart

Artificial Intelligence and Market Regulation: The Way Forward for the CCI

In this post, the authors highlight the potential anti-competitive concerns emerging from the use of Artificial Intelligence by enterprises. They analyse competition regulators’ practices worldwide and provide logistical suggestions to suit the Indian context. Continue reading Artificial Intelligence and Market Regulation: The Way Forward for the CCI

The Reliance-Facebook Deal: A Case for Data-Driven Mergers

In this post, the authors draw the attention to Facebook Inc.’s recent acquisition of a 9.99% minority stake in Reliance Industries’ digital arm, Jio Platforms Limited. They analyse how such deals may arise problems of a dual nature, revolving around data protection and competition law, and point to the lack of a data protection statute in India to tackle the same. Continue reading The Reliance-Facebook Deal: A Case for Data-Driven Mergers

An Analysis of the Indian Competition Law Regime During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In this post, the author draws an analysis of the safeguards which the competition law regime in India offers, in regard to the current situation of economic crisis, by comparing it with those offered in other jurisdictions. By doing so, he calls for the need for creating joint ventures among market players for mitigating the effect of the crisis. Continue reading An Analysis of the Indian Competition Law Regime During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Understanding the Walmart-Flipkart Deal: Part III (Pondering Over the Arguments Against the Acquisition)

By: Ahkam Khan & Alok Chaurasia In this final part of this editorial series, the authors explain the arguments presented by the parties objecting to the deal. The post seeks to analyse the merits in the arguments raised against the acquisition and tries to find out their validity while highlighting the effects that the combination is likely to have on the Indian retail industry. INTRODUCTION: … Continue reading Understanding the Walmart-Flipkart Deal: Part III (Pondering Over the Arguments Against the Acquisition)

Understanding the Walmart-Flipkart Deal: Part II (CCI’s Evaluation of the Acquisition)

By: Ahkam Khan & Alok Chaurasia In Part I of this editorial series, the authors had explained the business model of the two parties to the acquisition. Based on the model, the CCI had observed that the parties had a certain degree of horizontal overlap with respect to their operations. However, it concluded that a vertical overlap was not possible due to restrictions on Walmart … Continue reading Understanding the Walmart-Flipkart Deal: Part II (CCI’s Evaluation of the Acquisition)

Understanding the Walmart-Flipkart Deal: Part I (Parties and their Business Models)

By: Ahkam Khan & Alok Chaurasia This blog post is the first in the forthcoming 3-part editorial series concerning the Walmart-Flipkart deal. In the first post, the authors seek to analyse the parties to the deal, their business models, and restrictions on foreign players under India’s FDI policy. INTRODUCTION Over the last few years, the struggle to secure consumer market has intensified with big corporations … Continue reading Understanding the Walmart-Flipkart Deal: Part I (Parties and their Business Models)