Competition and consumer protection 2600-MSMdz2zmOKK

The course covers following topics:
1) Competition and consumer protection system
 Objectives, constitutional basis; basic institutions; basic concepts
2) Agreements restricting competition
 Cartels as the most serious violation of competition
 Agreements between competitors other than cartels (e.g., information exchange, joint ventures)
 Vertical agreements, among others, in the producer-distributor relationship; distributor-seller relationship (among others, resale price fixing)
 Liability exemptions (profits for competitors)
3) Abuse of dominant position
 Dominant position: determination of dominant position in the relevant market
 Abuse of dominant position - exclusionary practices (e.g. refusal to contract, rebates, predatory prices)
 Abuse of dominant position - exploitative practices (e.g. overpricing)
4) Merger control
 mergers, acquisitions, creation of a joint ventures
 criteria for control,
 types and effects of mergers
 mandatory system of merger notification
5) Practices violating the collective interests of consumers
 Introductory issues
 Misrepresentation and misselling
 Unfair advertising
6) Unfair contract terms
7) Consumer rights in contractual relations

Term 2025L:

The course covers following topics:
1) Competition and consumer protection system
− Objectives, constitutional basis; basic institutions; basic concepts
2) Agreements restricting competition
− Cartels as the most serious violation of competition
− Agreements between competitors other than cartels (e.g., information exchange, joint ventures)
− Vertical agreements, among others, in the producer-distributor relationship; distributor-seller relationship (among others, resale price fixing)
− Liability exemptions (profits for competitors)
3) Abuse of dominant position
− Dominant position: determination of dominant position in the relevant market
− Abuse of dominant position - exclusionary practices (e.g. refusal to contract, rebates, predatory prices)
− Abuse of dominant position - exploitative practices (e.g. overpricing)
4) Merger control
− mergers, acquisitions, creation of a joint ventures
− criteria for control,
− types and effects of mergers
− mandatory system of merger notification
5) Practices violating the collective interests of consumers
− Introductory issues
− Misrepresentation and misselling
− Unfair advertising
6) Unfair contract terms
7) Consumer rights in contractual relations

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Maciej Bernatt

Learning outcomes

Knowledge:
S1_W03 – identifies legal principles and procedures related to competition and consumer protection.
S1_W04 – lists legal regulations concerning the rules of competition and consumer protection.
S1_W06 – knows and understands legal regulations concerning competition and consumer protection, including dominant market positions, prohibited agreements and contract terms, control of mergers and acquisitions, and consumer rights in contractual relationships.
Skills:
S1_U02 – analyzes the impact of anti-competitive practices on the functioning of the economy and the situation of consumers in the market.
Social Competences:
S1_K01 – is able to evaluate complex phenomena related to competition and consumer protection.
S1_K05 – promotes compliance with legal regulations in business relationships.

Assessment criteria

Grading based on case study and active in-class participation.

Bibliography

Basic literature:
Bernatt M., Jurkowska A., Skoczny T., Ochrona konkurencji i konsumentów, Wydawnictwo Naukowe WZ UW, 2007

Adittional literature:
C. Banasiński (red.), Polskie prawo antymonopolowe. Zarys wykładu, Wolters Kluwer, Warszawa 2018
R. Whish, D. Bailey, Competition Law, 9th Edition, Oxford University Press 2018
C. Kosikowski, Publiczne prawo gospodarcze Polski i Unii Europejskiej, Warszawa 2010

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2600-MSMdz2zmOKK in USOSweb