This online course on merger control provides expert insights into the competition and regulatory challenges raised by M&As in digital markets.
Firms active in digital markets have proven remarkably active in mergers and acquisitions (M&As), constantly seeking to absorb companies — especially new start-ups — with a view to expanding their ecosystem while consolidating their market share.
One common concern raised by M&As is that such transactions might have the objective to prevent the acquired company from becoming a competitive threat: this is particularly relevant in the context of digital markets, where firms compete for the market rather than in the market and where competition from small market players is essential to discipline incumbent’s behaviour. Moreover, most of the M&As happen beyond the radar of competition authorities as the majority of these transactions do not reach the thresholds that trigger merger control.
After completing our course, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle emerging challenges for competition professionals and policymakers.
WEEK 1
Opening keynote: Innovation in Merger Control
Market Definition and Market Power in Multi-Sided Markets
WEEK 2
Thresholds of Mergers Notification and Identification of Killer Acquisitions in Digital Markets
WEEK 3
Horizontal, Vertical and Conglomerate Mergers: Theories of Harm in the Digital Economy
WEEK 4
Merger Control and Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs)
WEEK 5
Merger control in Digital Markets: Perspectives on Remedies across the World
By completing this course, you will:
Deepen your understanding of the structure and substance of the EU merger control regime;
Sharpen the critical tools necessary to master merger cases and overcome challenges at work;
Bring to your organisation an improved and multi-disciplinary understanding of competitive dynamics and merger control issues in digital markets;
Get up to date with the latest enforcement cases as well as regulatory and legislative developments;
Share knowledge with attendees from other sectors and industries;
Expand your network of professionals who share similar but also complementary interests and expertise.
The online course is delivered on an online platform where participants can meet and interact with instructors.
The training adopts a multidisciplinary approach, allowing participants to gain a combination of theoretical and practical skills whilst promoting creative thinking.
Each module consists of dedicated reading materials, self-evaluation assessments, discussions, complementary video lectures, and interactive live classes. Recordings will be available shortly after each live class.
The course is designed for professionals interested in gaining in-depth knowledge over a short period of time, with a background in law or economics, including:
Officials from National Competition Authorities (NCAs), National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and other public bodies
In-house lawyers and legal counsels
Economic consultants
Policy and decision-makers
Academics
Continuing Professional Development
This course’s final certificate is valid to obtain training credits for lawyers in Belgium (16 credits), as well as France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Ireland.
Other countries
If you need assistance in liaising with your bar association for accreditation, please contact digital.society@eui.eu and we will gladly assist with the process.
At the end of the course, participants can earn three types of certificates depending on their level of engagement and performance throughout the course.
Certificate of attendance: participants are expected to complete all the weekly quizzes. To qualify for this certificate, a commitment of 4-6 hours of learning per week is required.
Certificate of distinction: participants must complete every weekly quiz and actively engage in the weekly forum discussion by posting a message that has a meaningful contribution. The relevance of the contribution will be evaluated by our internal staff. To earn this certificate, a commitment of 6-8 hours of learning per week is expected, including attendance at 4 out of 6 classes.
Certificate of excellence: to qualify for this certificate, participants must meet the requirements for the certificate of distinction, attend all virtual classes, and submit an individual assignment by the end of the course. A commitment of 8-12 hours of learning per week, including attending all virtual classes, is expected.
General course fees: 1500 €
National Regulatory Authorities, National Competition Authorities, donors of the Centre for a Digital Society and academics: 1200 €
Post-graduate students: 1000 €
If you are an EUI student or EUI researcher, please contact anna.ferrari@eui.eu
Cancellation policy
Please note that the course fees will not be reimbursed in case of cancellation after the course start.
