In August 2020 Steptoe’s Antitrust & Competition team in partnership with FTI Consulting hosted two webinars to discuss EU consultations which are likely to affect the regulation of digital space across Europe.
Continue Reading European Commission’s Regulatory Proposals in the Digital Marketplace – The Outcomes of Our Recent Webinar Discussions
How Will the European Commission Monitor Competitiveness of the Digital Market?
On June 2, 2020, the European Commission opened a public consultation to seek views on the contents of the Digital Services Act (DSA), an ambitious legislative package intended to regulate digital markets in EU.
The European Commission will be seeking feedback from a wide range of stakeholders on issues like online safety, freedom of expression,
Geoblocking Regulation: Last Minute Recap Of What’s In It
Today is the day: on Monday, December 3, the Geoblocking Regulation (the Regulation) starts applying to online businesses operating across several EU Member States. For those who feel like they need a refresher, below we provide an overview of what is in the Regulation – as well as what is not.
Continue Reading Geoblocking Regulation: Last Minute Recap Of What’s In It
EU Framework for Screening of Foreign Direct Investments (Informally) Approved by the European Parliament and Council
On 20 November 2018, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission reached a political agreement on the proposed EU framework for screening of foreign direct investments (FDIs).
The proposal, put forward by the Commission in September 2017, aims at protecting key strategic industries and assets in Europe whilst maintaining the EU’s appeal to foreign investors.
While other countries such as Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan and the US, as well as 12 of the 28 EU Member States[1] already have FDI screening mechanisms in place, it is the first time that such a mechanism is introduced at the EU level.
The proposal is a response to growing concerns in the EU – especially from France, Germany and Italy – that state-owned or state-controlled foreign investors, notably from China, are increasingly acquiring control over high-tech companies and critical infrastructure in Europe.
The EU framework will not impose an obligation on Member States to establish FDI screening mechanisms but rather sets out common rules for Member States that already have such mechanisms in place or that are willing to create them. In any case, the prohibition of FDIs on security or public order grounds will still be decided at the national level.
Formal approval of the proposed Regulation by the European Parliament and the Council is expected by March 2019, ahead of the upcoming EU elections in May 2019.
FTC’s Economic Liberty Task Force Employs Roundtable on Occupational Licensing Reform
As part of its “aggressive agenda” of enforcement and outreach regarding the professional licensing systems that regulate an FTC-estimated 25%-30% of jobs nationally, the Economic Liberty Task Force held a public roundtable on July 27 in Washington, DC. The Task Force, which was launched by Maureen K. Ohlhausen shortly after she took over as Acting Chairman early this year, was created—in part—to identify unnecessary and overbroad occupational licensing and prioritize the roll back of such regulations.
Continue Reading FTC’s Economic Liberty Task Force Employs Roundtable on Occupational Licensing Reform