11. The international dimension

‘The international dimension’ examines the international dimension of competition laws. In order to protect their domestic markets, competition agencies often need to apply their national laws beyond the boundaries of their state. Extraterritoriality in competition law commonly relies on one of two legal concepts. The first extends a competition regime’s jurisdiction to activities which have an effect on that regime’s markets. The second requires ‘implementation’ of anti-competitive activity within the given territory as a condition for extraterritorial application of domestic laws. In the US, the effects doctrine enabled the enforcement of antitrust laws on foreign companies. In the EU, both the effects and implementation doctrines may be used.