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Application of the Essential Facilities Doctrine to data: The doctrine's applicability to data in relation to fundamental rights

Månsson, Linn LU (2022) JAEM03 20221
Department of Law
Faculty of Law
Abstract
The thesis examines the development of essential facilities doctrine in EU case law under Article 102 TFEU and further, to what extent can refusal to supply, in particular the essential facilities doctrine, be applicable to data and how do fundamental rights (the freedom to conduct business and the right to property) relate to such extension.

The analysis of the development of the case law, especially in the digital context, indicates some differences in interpretation and application of the EFD although the initial criteria of the EFD remains, at least in theory. Yet, the thesis raises some uncertainties regarding the relevance of, especially, the indispensability criterion and the application of the EFD in general, due to... (More)
The thesis examines the development of essential facilities doctrine in EU case law under Article 102 TFEU and further, to what extent can refusal to supply, in particular the essential facilities doctrine, be applicable to data and how do fundamental rights (the freedom to conduct business and the right to property) relate to such extension.

The analysis of the development of the case law, especially in the digital context, indicates some differences in interpretation and application of the EFD although the initial criteria of the EFD remains, at least in theory. Yet, the thesis raises some uncertainties regarding the relevance of, especially, the indispensability criterion and the application of the EFD in general, due to non-consistent case law.

As for the extent to which the EFD can apply to data, although a more complex and cautious application, an application of data to the EFD would be possible. However, the assessment of the EFD may require incorporating characteristics of data and data-driven markets. Yet, there are other sources indicating other developments of the application of accessing data. As such, it is not apparent whether the EFD will remain unchanged when applied to data.

The thesis thereafter presents an analysis regarding the relationship between the development of the EFD and the EU fundamental rights on freedom to conduct business in Article 16 CFR and right to property in Article 17 CFR. It is apparent that a development in the application of the EFD must ensure a balance of the fundamental rights and limit its interference. As such, what extent an application will interfere with fundamental rights depends on the route taken when applying the EFD to data. All things considered; some uncertainties remain which might be clarified through pending case law. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Förevarande uppsats analyserar utvecklingen av doktrinen om ’essential facilities’ i EU rättspraxis under Artikel 102 TFEU och vidare, i vilken utsträckning kan leveransvägran, särskilt doktrinen om ’essential facilities’ vara applicerbar på data och hur relaterar de fundamentala rättigheterna (näringsfrihet och rätt till egendom) till sådan tillämpning.

Analysen av utvecklingen i rättspraxis, särskilt angående den digitala marknaden, indikerar vissa skillnader i tolkning och tillämpning av EFD, även om de ursprungliga kriterierna för EFD kvarstår. Däremot, för uppsatsen fram vissa osäkerheter kring relevansen av specifikt ’indispensability’ kriteriet och även tillämpningen av doktrinen i allmänhet, på grund av icke-konsekvent... (More)
Förevarande uppsats analyserar utvecklingen av doktrinen om ’essential facilities’ i EU rättspraxis under Artikel 102 TFEU och vidare, i vilken utsträckning kan leveransvägran, särskilt doktrinen om ’essential facilities’ vara applicerbar på data och hur relaterar de fundamentala rättigheterna (näringsfrihet och rätt till egendom) till sådan tillämpning.

Analysen av utvecklingen i rättspraxis, särskilt angående den digitala marknaden, indikerar vissa skillnader i tolkning och tillämpning av EFD, även om de ursprungliga kriterierna för EFD kvarstår. Däremot, för uppsatsen fram vissa osäkerheter kring relevansen av specifikt ’indispensability’ kriteriet och även tillämpningen av doktrinen i allmänhet, på grund av icke-konsekvent rättspraxis.

Vad gäller i vilken utsträckning EFD kan tillämpas på data, anses det att även om det är en mer komplicerad och försiktig tillämpning, är en sådan tillämpning möjlig, åtminstone i teori. Men bedömningen kan dock behöva inkludera överväganden kring egenskaperna hos data och datadrivna marknader. Samtidigt finns det andra källor som indikerar en annan utveckling av tillämpningen av att ge åtkomst till data. Följaktligen, det är inte evident om EFD kommer att förbli oförändrad när den tillämpas på data.

Uppsatsens analyserar därefter förhållandet mellan utvecklingen av tillämpningen av doktrinen och EU-rättens fundamentala rättigheter, näringsfrihet i Artikel 16 CFR och rätt till egendom i Artikel 17 CFR. Det är uppenbart att en utveckling av tillämpningen av EFD måste säkerställa en balansering av begränsningen av EU:s fundamentala rättigheter. Således, i vilken utsträckning en tillämpning kommer att inverka på dessa rättigheter, beror på vilken riktning som tas när EFD tillämpas på data. Sammantaget; vissa osäkerheter kvarstår men dessa kan eventuellt klargöras av den rättspraxis som är under processer av överklagan och utredning. (Less)
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author
Månsson, Linn LU
supervisor
organization
course
JAEM03 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
EU law, EU Competition Law, Article 102 TFEU, Refusal to supply, Refusal to deal, The Charter of Fundamental Rights, The freedom to conduct business, The right to property, Data, Data access
language
English
id
9089394
date added to LUP
2022-06-27 10:52:05
date last changed
2022-06-27 10:52:05
@misc{9089394,
  abstract     = {{The thesis examines the development of essential facilities doctrine in EU case law under Article 102 TFEU and further, to what extent can refusal to supply, in particular the essential facilities doctrine, be applicable to data and how do fundamental rights (the freedom to conduct business and the right to property) relate to such extension. 

The analysis of the development of the case law, especially in the digital context, indicates some differences in interpretation and application of the EFD although the initial criteria of the EFD remains, at least in theory. Yet, the thesis raises some uncertainties regarding the relevance of, especially, the indispensability criterion and the application of the EFD in general, due to non-consistent case law. 

As for the extent to which the EFD can apply to data, although a more complex and cautious application, an application of data to the EFD would be possible. However, the assessment of the EFD may require incorporating characteristics of data and data-driven markets. Yet, there are other sources indicating other developments of the application of accessing data. As such, it is not apparent whether the EFD will remain unchanged when applied to data.

The thesis thereafter presents an analysis regarding the relationship between the development of the EFD and the EU fundamental rights on freedom to conduct business in Article 16 CFR and right to property in Article 17 CFR. It is apparent that a development in the application of the EFD must ensure a balance of the fundamental rights and limit its interference. As such, what extent an application will interfere with fundamental rights depends on the route taken when applying the EFD to data. All things considered; some uncertainties remain which might be clarified through pending case law.}},
  author       = {{Månsson, Linn}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Application of the Essential Facilities Doctrine to data: The doctrine's applicability to data in relation to fundamental rights}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}