Market Definition: An Analytical Overview

45 Pages Posted: 26 Nov 2005 Last revised: 30 Apr 2013

See all articles by Jonathan B. Baker

Jonathan B. Baker

American University - Washington College of Law

Date Written: November 1, 2006

Abstract

This essay surveys important issues in antitrust market definition. It identifies settings in which market definition is useful, and evaluates methods of defining markets. It considers whether markets should be defined with respect to demand substitution only or whether supply substitution also should count. It addresses practical issues in defining markets, including the probative value of various types of evidence, how much buyer substitution is too much, application of the market definition algorithm of the Horizontal Merger Guidelines, the Cellophane fallacy, and the advantages and disadvantages of defining submarkets. It also evaluates several controversial approaches to market definition, including price correlations, shipment flows, critical loss analysis, and cluster markets.

Keywords: market definition, antitrust

JEL Classification: L4

Suggested Citation

Baker, Jonathan B., Market Definition: An Analytical Overview (November 1, 2006). Antitrust Law Journal , Vol. 74, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=854025 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.854025

Jonathan B. Baker (Contact Author)

American University - Washington College of Law ( email )

4300 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States
202-274-4315 (Phone)

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