This book analyses the legal approach to personal data taken by different fields of law. An increasing number of business models in the digital economy rely on personal data as a key input. In exchange for sharing their data, online users benefit from personalized and innovative services. But companies' collection and use of personal data raise questions about privacy and fundamental rights. Moreover, given the substantial commercial and strategic value of personal data, their accumulation, control and use may raise competition concerns and negatively affect consumers. To establish a legal framework that ensures an adequate level of protection of personal data while at the same time providing an open and level playing field for businesses to develop innovative data-based services is a challenging task.With this objective in mind and against the background of the uniform rules set by the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the contributions to this book examine the significance and legal treatment of personal data in competition law, consumer protection law, general civil law and intellectual property law. Instead of providing an isolated analysis of the different areas of law, the book focuses on both synergies and tensions between the different legal fields, exploring potential ways to develop an integrated legal approach to personal data.

As part of its review of competition law that started in the late 1990s, the European Commission proposes to revise its interpretation and application of the Treaty 's prohibition of abuses of dominant positions. Also, it has instigated a debate about the promotion of private enforcement of EC competition law. On the former subject, the Commission published a Discussion Paper in 2005; on the latter, a Green Paper in 2005, followed by a White Paper in 2008.

The chapters in this volume critically appraise the Commission 's proposals, including the most recent ones. The authors also highlight the repercussions of the proposed more economic approach to abuses of dominant positions on private litigants opportunities to bring damages actions in national courts for such abuses.

As part of its review of competition law that started in the late 1990s, the European Commission proposes to revise its interpretation and application of the Treaty 's prohibition of abuses of dominant positions. Also, it has instigated a debate about the promotion of private enforcement of EC competition law. On the former subject, the Commission published a Discussion Paper in 2005; on the latter, a Green Paper in 2005, followed by a White Paper in 2008.

The chapters in this volume critically appraise the Commission 's proposals, including the most recent ones. The authors also highlight the repercussions of the proposed more economic approach to abuses of dominant positions on private litigants opportunities to bring damages actions in national courts for such abuses.