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Author: Rupprecht Podszun

SSNIPpets (44): One out of two

SSNIPpets (44): One out of two

How fortunate that winter has returned once again, restaurants in Düsseldorf are still closed and the vaccinations are taking their time. This way Rupprecht Podszun can first sift through all the antitrust snippets that have piled up on his desk. Today it’s all about China, drug prices and birthday parties. Here are his SSNIPpets – small, but significant news, information and pleasantries – our pet project! Choose one of the two In China, there is not exactly competition for leadership…

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SSNIPpets (43): Tektonik

SSNIPpets (43): Tektonik

While marveling in the provisions of the new German competition act, indulging in a new podcast and anticipating feverishly (not literally) the solution of the vaccination problems, Rupprecht Podszun found a bit of time. And wrote the SSNIPpets – small but significant news, information and pleasantries – our pet project! Romantic competition Recently, the 130th anniversary of Nicolaus Otto’s death was commemorated, at least in the WDR radio programme ZeitZeichen, which has been running since 1972 (!). Otto, who invented…

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Offline

Offline

Today saw the final installment of our Antitrust Advent Calendar 2020 – a definite sign that the year draws to a close. Yet, if we learned one thing in the Youknowwhatyear it is this: Nothing is definite. Rupprecht Podszun has some (preliminary?) closing remarks. When I wrote the final message in 2019, I looked forward “to the exciting developments in 2020” – not anticipating just how exciting it would be. We saw the Facebook case taking twists and turns in…

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GWB10: The day before

GWB10: The day before

Today, the EU Commission wants to present the plans for the Digital Markets Act, which will give antitrust law completely new instruments – but which must not then be assigned to antitrust law. At the same time, this week the German competition law amendment will be passed in Parliament (or so we expect). And we also have a nice and spicy message on the German Facebook proceedings. Rupprecht Podszun reports. Post Scriptum (16 Dec 2020): The German Parliament will not…

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(Not really) News from the Facebook case

(Not really) News from the Facebook case

There is something new in the Facebook case. Or maybe not quite. Rupprecht Podszun brings you up to date on the current state of affairs in this spectacular German abuse proceedings, which has been going on for some time now in the courts (and this blog). And you may rejoice: The story will remain with us! In my calendar, 25 November 2020 is marked in red. On this day it is like it sometimes was in the old days when…

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SSNIPpets (41): Hope!

SSNIPpets (41): Hope!

Lockdown light. Trump has been voted out of office, a company from Mainz, Germany, has apparently developed a vaccine, and most freshmen leave their cameras on during digital lessons in class. Glimmers of Hope. Rupprecht Podszun is riding the 2nd wave – here are his SSNIPpets, small but significant news, information and pleasentries – our pet project! The fifth season of the year Karneval, a German tradition that is close to Mardi Gras in New Orleans or the Rio Carnival,…

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Conference Debriefing (21/22): Sustainability, Platforms

Conference Debriefing (21/22): Sustainability, Platforms

Once a year the Bundeskartellamt calls a meeting of professors and judges to discuss a current topic. This year’s topic was “sustainability and competition”. The day before, platform regulation had been discussed at the “European Data Summit” in Berlin. Rupprecht Podszun was present at both events – here is his double conference debriefing! Name of Event 1: Meeting of the Working Group on Competition Law (vulgo “Professors’ Conference”) Topic: “Open markets and sustainable business – public interest objectives as a…

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SSNIPpets (40): European Competition Days

SSNIPpets (40): European Competition Days

On some days the antitrust lawyer does not know where to look first, so much is happening. Rupprecht Podszun has no other choice. Without claiming to be complete, correct or chucklesome, he has noted down what he noticed recently in the wonderful world of competition. Here are his SSNIPpets – small but significant news, information and pleasantries – our pet project! Jubilee Line Is this a good day to send SSNIPpets? 60 years ago, OPEC, the infamous cartel of oil-exporting…

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