PastIn Person

Annual Conference: Competition Law and Standard Essential Patents

by Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies

The Annual Conference on Competition Law and Standard Essential Patents is organized by the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute (EUI). This event brings together academics, practitioners, officials from National Competition Authorities, and industry representatives to discuss the challenges associated with the extraterritorial enforcement of competition law concerning abuses of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs).

Key topics include determining the conditions under which royalty rates requested by SEP owners can be considered fair and reasonable, and negotiated on non-discriminatory terms. The conference also addresses the limits of extraterritorial enforcement of competition law in cases of SEP abuses, especially considering the global nature of SEPs. Additionally, discussions focus on the role of Standard Setting Organizations in preventing competition law infringements by SEP owners, as highlighted in the European Commission's 2017 Communication on SEPs.

The event features panel discussions and roundtables with experts in the field, providing opportunities for networking and in-depth exploration of SEP-related issues. Notable speakers include academics and officials from various jurisdictions, offering diverse perspectives on the enforcement and regulation of SEPs.

This conference is ideal for legal professionals, policymakers, academics, and industry stakeholders involved in competition law and intellectual property rights. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the complexities of SEP enforcement and the evolving landscape of competition law in this area.

Speakers(5)

Igor Nikolic

Director of IP Policy at Nokia

Igor Nikolic is the Director of IP Policy at Nokia and a former Research Fellow at the Centre for a Digital Society. He specializes in intellectual property rights, competition law, and standard essential patents. Igor completed his PhD at University College London on the licensing of Standard Essential Patents in the era of 5G and the Internet of Things.

Jorge L. Contreras

Professor of Law at University of Utah

Jorge L. Contreras is a Professor of Law at the University of Utah. Before entering academia, he was a partner at the international law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. His research focuses on the development of technical standards and the use, dissemination, and ownership of scientific data. He has authored over 100 scholarly articles and chapters in various scientific, legal, and policy journals.

Marco Botta

Research Fellow at Florence Competition Programme (FCP)

Marco Botta has been involved in the organisation of ENTraNCE for Judges since 2011. He is currently Visiting Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Competition and Innovation in Munich, Germany. He also serves as an External Lecturer at the Law Faculty of the University of Vienna, Austria, and regularly cooperates as an external legal consultant for the legal database Caselex and for Spark Legal Network.

Niccolò Galli

Research Associate at European University Institute

Niccolò Galli is a Research Associate at the European University Institute's Centre for a Digital Society and a Contract Professor of IP and Competition Law at the University of Florence. He holds a PhD titled 'Patent Aggregation, Innovation and EU Competition Law' and has received awards for his research on intellectual property.

Pier Luigi Parcu

Director at Centre for a Digital Society, European University Institute

Pier Luigi Parcu is the Director of the Centre for a Digital Society at the European University Institute. He has extensive experience in competition law and regulation, focusing on the digital economy and telecommunications.

Event Details

Date
June 1-2, 2016
2 days
Location
🇮🇹 Florence, Italy
European University Institute (EUI) campus
Audience
Legal professionals, policymakers, academics, industry stakeholders