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Antitrust Enforcement and the Design of Disclosure Rules. An Application to Merger Control

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  • Aldo Gonzalez

Abstract

This article investigates how antitrust agencies should structure the disclosing of information about efficiency gains from interested parties (merging firms, and competitors) in merger control. We analyze the particular case of a horizontal merger with danger of foreclosure, where welfare can decrease either due to insufficient efficiency gains (efficiency defense) or due to excessive efficiency gains if the competitor exits (effi- ciency offense). The first result is that evidence from competitors is not required unless the ex-ante market shares of the merging firms exceed a threshold. Second, we support the role of advocacy of the parties. The burden of proof for efficiency defense should rest in the insiders (merg- ing firms) whereas the burden of proof for efficiency offense should rest in outsiders (competitors). Finally, it is optimal to make insiders report first and outsiders second and any communication among parties has to be prohibited

Suggested Citation

  • Aldo Gonzalez, 2004. "Antitrust Enforcement and the Design of Disclosure Rules. An Application to Merger Control," Econometric Society 2004 Latin American Meetings 199, Econometric Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecm:latm04:199
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jerry R. Green & Jean-Jacques Laffont, 1986. "Partially Verifiable Information and Mechanism Design," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 53(3), pages 447-456.
    2. Paul Milgrom & John Roberts, 1986. "Relying on the Information of Interested Parties," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 17(1), pages 18-32, Spring.
    3. Fudenberg, Drew & Tirole, Jean, 1984. "The Fat-Cat Effect, the Puppy-Dog Ploy, and the Lean and Hungry Look," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 74(2), pages 361-366, May.
    4. Tomaso Duso & Damien J. Neven & Lars-Hendrik Röller, 2007. "The Political Economy of European Merger Control: Evidence using Stock Market Data," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 50(3), pages 455-489.
    5. Farrell, Joseph & Shapiro, Carl, 1990. "Horizontal Mergers: An Equilibrium Analysis," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 80(1), pages 107-126, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Troya-Martinez, Marta, 2016. "Vagueness and information-sharing," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 301-320.
    2. Mariana Cunha & Hélder Vasconcelos, 2018. "Sequential Mergers and Antitrust Authority’s Decisions in Stackelberg Markets," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 373-394, September.
    3. Bourjade, Sylvain & Jullien, Bruno, 2004. "Expertise and Bias in Decision Making," MPRA Paper 7251, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Jan 2007.

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    JEL classification:

    • L40 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - General

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