Abuse of Dominant Position: A System of Undistorted Competition or Social Protection?

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate that, even if Article 82(2)(a) of the EC Treaty does not replace the market measure with a political measure with respect to contractual clauses, nonetheless it pursues social justice, whatever conception of social justice one accepts. According to a vast majority of Economics scholars, such regulation is wholly inefficient. The rule, as it stands, is supported by evidently equitable reasons: it is designed, in fact, to protect a specific class of consumers, particularly those who cannot afford innovation at a monopolistic price. This regulation has been harshly criticised, and has undergone several attempts to reduce its scope of application. I believe that a group that is concerned about social justice in European contract law cannot allow this norm to be disregarded and should, instead, invoke its application.