There are acts and practices in the distribution chain that can result in efficient provision of goods, others that can adversely affect competition and consumers, and some that have both effects to some degree. Competition law attempts to identify and prevent acts and practices in product distribution that adversely affect competition and consumers. In particular, this new 2nd edition updates all of the content from the earlier 2006 edition, including the substantial developments in case law in key areas such as bundled discounts and resale price maintenance. In addition, this edition contains three new chapters. The first summarizes the key economic concepts used to evaluate the competitive effects of distribution restraints. The second discusses how technological developments and the internet have affected antitrust law and economics. The third provides a detailed overview and discussion of the relevant distribution laws and their enforcement in the European Union.
Changes in format and the substantial expansion in this second edition have made it the definitive and user-friendly reference book for those who want to understand the key concepts and case law in both the US and the EU. Any antitrust lawyer or economist who works in this area definitely will find value in this extremely useful and comprehensive handbook.