Competition policy in the World Trade Organization

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Competition Policy
  • Economic Background
  • Objectives of Competition Law
• Elements of Competition Law
  • Cartelization
  • Vertical Restraints
  • Abuse of Dominant Position
  • International Mergers
  • Parallel Imports
• National Competition Law
  • Competition Culture
  • National Regulation
  • International Cooperation
• International Competition Law
  • Regional Agreements
  • Multilateral Regulations
    • The Havana Charter
    • The UNCTAD Principles on RBPs
    • OECD Recommendations and Guidelines
• Current Competition-Related Regulations in the WTO
  • Governmental Measures
    • Tariffs
    • Quantitative Restrictions
    • Tariff Like Measures
    • Subsidies
  • The GATT
    • Art. I GATT, the MFN
    • Art. II GATT, Market Access
    • Art. III GATT, Non-Discrimination and National Treatment
    • Art. XI GATT, Quantitative Restrictions
    • Art. XXIII:1 GATT, Non-Violation Nullification and Impairment
    • Case Study: The Kodak-Fuji Case
  • The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
  • The TRIPS
  • Other Competition-Related Regulations in the WTO
• Future Perspective of an International Competition Law Agreement
  • Competition and Trade
  • Developing Countries and Competition Law
  • Approaches on the Issue of International Competition Law
    • A Multilateral Agreement on Competition Law
      • A Harmonization Agreement
      • The "TRIPS Approach"
    • The "WTO Approach"
    • The "National Law Approach"

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation examines the role of competition policy in the World Trade Organization (WTO). It explores the interplay between competition law and trade regulations, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by an international competition law agreement.

• The economic rationale and objectives of competition law
• The relationship between national and international competition law
• The current competition-related regulations within the WTO framework
• The potential for a future international competition law agreement
• The implications for developing countries and the role of international cooperation.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the topic and outlines the structure of the dissertation. It discusses the increasing importance of competition policy in a globalized economy, highlighting the need for a comprehensive examination of the issue in the WTO context.
• Competition Policy: This chapter explores the economic foundations of competition law and examines its objectives. It discusses various theoretical models and principles underlying competition policy, emphasizing its role in promoting efficiency, innovation, and consumer welfare.
• Elements of Competition Law: This chapter delves into key elements of competition law, including cartelization, vertical restraints, abuse of dominant position, international mergers, and parallel imports. It analyzes the various legal instruments and approaches employed in different jurisdictions to address these specific issues.
• National Competition Law: This chapter examines the implementation of competition law at the national level. It discusses the development of national competition cultures, the evolution of national regulatory frameworks, and the importance of international cooperation among national competition authorities.
• International Competition Law: This chapter explores the different approaches to international competition law, including regional agreements and multilateral regulations. It examines the historical evolution of international cooperation in this area, highlighting the efforts made by various organizations and institutions.
• Current Competition-Related Regulations in the WTO: This chapter focuses on the existing competition-related provisions within the WTO framework. It examines the relevance of key WTO agreements like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to competition issues.
• Future Perspective of an International Competition Law Agreement: This chapter explores the potential for a future international competition law agreement. It examines the different approaches that have been proposed, including a multilateral agreement, a harmonization agreement, the "TRIPS approach," the "WTO approach," and the "national law approach." It also analyzes the challenges and opportunities associated with each approach.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The dissertation focuses on competition policy, international trade, World Trade Organization (WTO), international competition law, multilateral agreement, trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS), developing countries, and international cooperation. It investigates the potential for a future international competition law agreement to harmonize national competition policies and promote a level playing field for businesses in the global marketplace.