Uber: A New Challenge for Regulation and Competition Law?

Market and Competition Law Review, Forthcoming

15 Pages Posted: 26 Sep 2017 Last revised: 10 Oct 2017

See all articles by Margherita Colangelo

Margherita Colangelo

Roma Tre University - Department of Law

Mariateresa Maggiolino

Bocconi University - Department of Legal Studies; Ask Research Center

Date Written: September 25, 2017

Abstract

The rise of new software platforms presents regulators and antitrust agencies all over the world with a challenge. Should regulations adapt to the new services of the digital economy? Should competition law change its paradigm in relation to the sharing economy? Despite the growing expansion of these services, in most countries there is still no regulatory framework addressing these problems. Uber is the most emblematic example of this phenomenon. Indeed, it is subject to a large number of ongoing lawsuits merging many issues, ranging from questions pertaining to labour law to problems connected with unfair competition laws. This article first analyses the particular business model adopted by Uber and the antitrust concerns that it could raise. In so doing, the paper pays heed to the approach that antitrust authorities should take towards the complex rivalry between (regulated) incumbents and (unregulated) new entrants. The paper then considers the legal nature of the services provided by Uber, i.e. whether they should be considered as transport services or as services of the information society. Either way, the chosen characterisation will affect the law applied to all digital platforms. The analysis, which adopts a comparative approach, focuses on the European context where national courts are in great turmoil and the CJEU will be issuing a preliminary ruling on the nature of Uber services.

Keywords: Uber, transport services, services of the information society, antitrust, regulation

JEL Classification: K21, L4

Suggested Citation

Colangelo, Margherita and Maggiolino, Mariateresa, Uber: A New Challenge for Regulation and Competition Law? (September 25, 2017). Market and Competition Law Review, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3042514

Margherita Colangelo (Contact Author)

Roma Tre University - Department of Law ( email )

Via Ostiense, 159
Rome, 00154
Italy

Mariateresa Maggiolino

Bocconi University - Department of Legal Studies ( email )

Via Roentgen, 1
Milan, Milan 20136
Italy

Ask Research Center ( email )

via Roentgen 1
Milan, 20136
Italy

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