The objective of this study project is to test the feasibility of using case studies to analyse the impact of competition policy enforcement decisions on innovation. The final study report shall include 3 parts. Part I will review the theoretical and empirical literature investigating the relationship between competition policy enforcement actions and innovation. Part II will develop a case study approach to make an ‘ex post’, microeconomic assessment of the impact of merger and antitrust decisions on innovation. Part III will test the approach proposed in Part II with 1 or 2 pilot case studies in which the parties claimed that the merger or business practice offered important benefits for innovation. On the basis of the above elements, the feasibility study shall provide suggestions to the Commission on how to gain a better understanding of the innovative impact of its competition policy interventions.

See Section II.1.4.