This course focuses on the interface between intellectual property laws and competition law in the U.S. The interface between these two bodies of law is one of the most complex and controversial, and yet theoretically interesting, areas of competition law. This interface juxtaposes the public policy rationale behind intellectual property laws and competition policy, and requires the enforcement agencies and the courts to strike delicate balances between these two policies. With respect to patent law, for example, the treatment of patent rights under competition law requires the courts to calibrate the provision of innovation incentives without incurring an excessive loss in consumer welfare. Similar tradeoffs are also found in the interface between copyright law and competition law, and to a lesser extent, between trademark law and competition law.

Topics covered in the course include: intellectual property enforcement, tying, unilateral refusal to deal, deceptive conduct in standard-setting organizations, predatory product design, group boycotts, vertical price restraints, non-price licensing restrictions, among others.

If you need to drop the course, please contact the TA (r10a21007@ntu.edu.tw) and the office before the course begins.