There has been much discussion lately about global challenges involving intellectual property law. Even a brief look at recent editorials published in this journal shows where these challenges lie. Peter K. Yu addressed ‘Intellectual Property Paradoxes in Pandemic Times’ (GRUR International 2022, 203). Henning Grosse Ruse-Khan asked: ‘Is IP Good for Our Planet?’ (GRUR International 2022, 683). Alberto de Franceschi discussed the issues posed by the need to build a ‘New Infrastructure for the Digital Economy’ (GRUR International 2022, 907). These problems arise in similar ways in the sphere of competition law. Just like any other exogenous shock, the pandemic led to the perennial question of whether a relaxation of competition rules is called for in order to allow firms under severe economic pressure to coordinate their struggle for survival. Even more urgently, competition authorities and legislatures are searching for concepts that bring competition law in line with the requirements of environmental and, in particular, climate protection. As part of the new infrastructure for the digital economy, competition law remains under construction, with traditional instruments such as merger control slowly adapting to the digital world and new additions such as the EU Digital Markets Act still awaiting their practical test.