Apart from their assigned mod courses, 1L students may only enroll in courses offered as 1L electives. A complete list of these courses can be found on the 1L Elective Listings page. 1L students must use the 1L class number listed on the course description when enrolling.
252.21 sec. 001 - Antitrust and Technology Platforms (Spring 2021)
Instructor: Christopher Hockett (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only
Units: 1
Grading Designation: Credit Only
Mode of Instruction: Remote Instruction
Meeting:
W 3:35 PM - 5:25 PM
Location: Internet/Online
From January 20, 2021
To March 03, 2021
Course End: March 03, 2021
Class Number: 32180
Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 20
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 65
As of: 05/08 05:45 AM
This course will analyze the application of antitrust law to the digital economy. Tech platform companies like Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google now rank among the largest and most valuable firms in history. In recent years, they and other large technology enterprises have attracted significant antitrust scrutiny from enforcers and policymakers around the world. This course will explore the implications of “big data” and economic concentration in the New Economy, and the potential relationship between antitrust and issues like consumer privacy, filter bubbles, fake news, and the challenges facing journalism, print media, and brick-and-mortar businesses. It will investigate the dynamics of platform competition, including network effects, multi-sided markets and attention markets. It will also explore evolving theories of competitive harm in settings where users obtain sophisticated online services at a zero price, and where many small and medium sized businesses benefit from inexpensive targeted online advertising and distribution services. The course materials will draw on a rich body of recent cases, regulatory proceedings, and academic commentary and analysis. A prior course in antitrust or experience in the area is recommended.
Instructor Bio: Chris Hockett is a former partner in Davis Polk’s Northern California office and former global head of the firm’s antitrust practice. He retired from the partnership in 2019. He has over 30 years of antitrust experience representing technology, media, and telecom clients - including in litigation, contested mergers, and government investigations. Under the auspices of the Federal Judicial Center and the ABA, Hockett co-chairs an intensive antitrust training program for federal judges that rotates between Berkeley Law and the University of Chicago. He also serves as a mediator, arbitrator and court-appointed Special Master in the Northern District of California. In 2013-14, Hockett chaired the 9,000-member ABA Section of Antitrust Law. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia, where he teaches an advanced antitrust course.
Real-time attendance at the first class is mandatory for all currently enrolled and waitlisted students; any currently enrolled or waitlisted students who are not present on the first day of class (without prior permission of the instructor) will be dropped. The instructor will continue to take attendance throughout the add/drop period and anyone who moves off the waitlist into the class must continue to attend or have prior permission of the instructor in order not to be dropped.
Prerequisites:
A prior course in antitrust or experience in the area is recommended.
Exam Notes: (TH) Take-home examination
Course Category: Business Law
This course is listed in the following sub-categories:
Intellectual Property and Technology Law
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Readers:
No reader.
Books:
Instructor has indicated that no books will be assigned.