This research project aims to analyse the competitive and regulatory environment, as well as the business models supporting the innovation process and the development of key technologies for the digital age.
The research team follows and analyses the evolution of the intellectual property framework, with a particular emphasis on recent developments in the field of ICT standards and Standard-Essential Patents (SEPs), as well as the organisation of innovation in the digital economy. Specific areas of ongoing research refer to the uptake of patent enforcement proceedings before the Unified Patent Court (UPC), which entered into force in June 2023 and the consequences of the 2025 withdrawal by the European Commission of the proposal of the Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) Regulation.
In parallel, the research follows the evolving antitrust frameworks governing patent licensing and SEPs, particularly in light of recent revisions to sector-specific regimes applicable to patent licensing and SEPs in particular, including the revision of the field-specific regimes in the EU, the UK and China. Finally, the team investigates, from an economic perspective, the innovation dynamics followed by SMEs, especially in Europe.
The first area of research focuses on Standard Essential Patents (SEP) and, more broadly, on the organisation of innovation in the digital economy. In this line of research, the team monitors and analyses the evolution of the intellectual property framework related to standard-essential patents. Current research efforts are directed towards understanding the uptake of patent enforcement proceedings before the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and the legislative process of the proposal for a Regulation on SEPs put forward by the European Commission.
The second area of research explores the impact ofthe EU Digital Agenda on innovation and competition in digital markets. This research delves into the set of regulations introduced in recent years by the EU Commission to bolster its digital sovereignty and establish standards related to digital data, technology, and infrastructure. Specifically, the focus is on the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which targets large online platforms (referred to as “gatekeepers”) to ensure “fairness” and “contestability” in digital markets. The project investigates the effects of DMA on the innovation process and business models of the Big Tech companies affected by its implementation.
The third area of research addresses the business opportunities and competition dynamics related to the General Purpose Technologies (GPTs), including the latest generations of mobile communication technologies (5G evolution towards 6G) and Artificial Intelligence. This area analyses the most recent regulatory developments that impact the expansion of these technologies.
The fourth area of research pertains to the infrastructures of the digital economy: networks, value chain/business models, and geopolitical issues. The entire digital economy relies on a reliable and ubiquitous Internet infrastructure. While the Internet architecture has demonstrated remarkable adaptability over the decades, accommodating continuous changes brought about by technological innovation, new challenges have emerged. These challenges include the commoditisation of infrastructure and the associated debate about the fair contribution of all digital players to network deployment costs. These issues necessitate immediate analysis. Consequently, this area of research examines the evolution of the Internet architecture, its impact on investment incentives, business models of firms active in the Internet infrastructure value chain, and the potential need for additional regulations in this regard.
This project receives funding from the Market Donors of the Centre for a Digital Society.
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