Navigating the New Matchmaker Economy: The Role of Antitrust and Regulation

George Washington Competition Law Center
Thursday, July 28, 2016
12pm-2pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-the-new-matchmaker-economy-the-r...

Today, we are increasingly living in the Matchmaker Economy. So are antitrust authorities and sectoral regulators. They increasingly encounter matters involving matchmakers. Some of these matters involve new business models, disruptive innovation, and the collision of new and old industries? Some also involve platforms that have quickly achieved massive reach and influence. What—if any—issues do these multisided platforms raise and what—in any—changes in analytical approaches do they require?

Dr. Evans, who has done pioneering work on the new economic science of multisided platforms will provide an overview of the new matchmaker economy based on his recent book, coauthored with Richard Schmalensee, Matchmakers: The New Economics of Multisided Platforms. The book has been featured in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Economist, and is a Hot New Release and Best Seller on Amazon.

Four leading experts on antirust and regulation will then give brief presentations:

• Terrell McSweeny, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission
• Jonathan Sallet, General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission
• Edward Black, President, Computer & Communications Industry Association
• Scott Sher, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Following the four presentations, Professor William Kovacic, Former Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission will moderate a panel discussion with the presenters.