antitrustitalia’s 36st lunch will be on Thursday, 23 February 2017 at the Auditorium of Madou Tower at Place Madou – 1049 Brussels (note that it will not take place as for past events at Confindustria).

Michele Piergiovanni,  Cristina Sjödin and Salvatore De Vita (European Commission, DG Competition, Mergers) will give a presentation in English on:

“The Commission's decision in Microsoft/LinkedIn: Artificial Intelligence, big data and social networks"

In December 2016, the European Commission approved Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn, subject to compliance with a number of commitments. The Commission's decision assessed the impact of the transaction on the markets for online advertising services, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and professional social networking services. The presentation will explain the main points of the Commission's assessment, focusing on (i) the reasons that led the Commission to exclude competition concerns on "big data"- related grounds, notably in the market for CRM software; and (ii) the risk of conglomerate effects that the Commission identified in the area of professional social networking services and how these concerns were addressed by the commitments offered by Microsoft.

Michele Piergiovanni is Head of Unit at the European Commission's DG Competition, in the unit responsible for mergers in the IT, telecommunications and media sectors. Before joining the Commission, Michele worked for several years in private practice in Brussels and in Italy. Michele holds a law degree from the University of Genoa, as well as LL.M degrees from the College of Europe and Harvard Law School.

Salvatore De Vita is a case handler at the European Commission's DG Competition in the unit responsible for mergers in the IT, telecommunications and media sectors. Before joining the Commission, Salvatore worked as a consultant and as in-house analyst in a leading information technology company. Salvatore holds a master's degree in economics from the Bocconi University.

Cristina Sjödin is a case handler at the European Commission's DG Competition in the unit responsible for mergers in the IT, telecommunications and media sectors. Before joining the Commission, Cristina practiced competition law in an international law firm in Brussels. Cristina holds an LL.M. from the College of Europe (Bruges).

Refreshments will be provided at 12.30, the presentation will begin at 13.00 and will finish at 14:30.

In order to ensure access to Madou Tower the day of the event, all attendees who are non-EU officials must provide the date of birth and Passport / ID number in addition to their confirmation through Eventbrite.

As space is limited, please let us know if you are unable to attend, so that we can offer your place to other colleagues. For non-members who will notify the cancellation by 48 hours before the event, the fee will be reimbursed (directly through the link above).

antitrustitalia counts on your support!