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The objective(s) of Article 102 TFEU, the EU provision prohibiting the abuse of a dominant position, have not been settled to date. Using law and economic approaches, this book inquires into the possible objectives of Article 102TFEU and proposes a modern approach to interpreting 'abuse'.
This aim is achieved by placing the main focus of the analysis on 'exploitative abuse'. Although it is indisputable that Article 102TFEU prohibits 'exploitation', there is neither a comprehensive study of 'exploitative abuse' in the literature nor any guidance in the Commission's policy documents.
However, a reform of the approach to Article 102TFEU cannot be complete without answering the question of how to deal with exploitative abuses, such as excessive pricing, discrimination, etc.
The working hypothesis of the book is that the separation of exploitative abuse from exclusionary abuse is artificial and unsound. Hence, this book aims to further the current understanding of 'abuse' and to establish an economically-sound test of infringement which can inform policy and law in this area.
Starting with an examination of the roots of Article 102TFEU and of the historical context of the adoption of the Treaty, this book analyses the case law, policy and literature on exploitative abuses and, where relevant, exclusionary abuses.
The book investigates potential welfarist and non-welfarist objectives, such as fairness and (consumer) welfare, as well as the potential conflict between such objectives. Finally, the book critically assesses the Commission's modernisation of Article 102TFEU and proposes a reformed approach to 'abuse' which fuses 'exploitative' with 'exclusionary' abuse.
