Ep 61: Digital Platform Power, Automation and Global Intellectual Property Protection

this episode of In Conversation with IPR and Competition Law, we are joined by Dr. Alba Ribera Martínez — PhD, Lecturer in Digital Markets Regulation and Competition Law, Editor-in-Chief at Stanford Computational Antitrust, and contributor at The Binary Agora — for a deep dive into one of the most fascinating frontiers of modern competition law: Computational Antitrust.As algorithms increasingly shape pricing, recommendations, market visibility, and platform behaviour, competition enforcement itself is entering a new technological era. This episode explores whether computational tools and AI-driven enforcement mechanisms can effectively detect anti-competitive conduct in digital markets — and whether algorithms can truly “catch” algorithms.The conversation examines the rise of AI-powered market systems, tacit algorithmic collusion, self-preferencing by digital platforms, transparency concerns in automated enforcement, and the growing divide between technologically advanced regulators and developing competition authorities.

In this episode Isheta Boruah is joined by Avadhi Joshi, Managing Partner at VNA Partners, to discuss how Indian copyright law approaches parody, commentary, reaction videos, memes, AI voice clones, and transformative content in the digital era.The conversation explores fair dealing under Section 52 of the Indian Copyright Act, the difference between parody and satire, moral rights, use of film clips and music in online content, licensing strategies for creators, and the growing legal risks surrounding AI-generated media and deepfakes.A practical and thought provoking episode for creators, filmmakers, lawyers, podcasters, and digital media professionals navigating the evolving relationship between creativity and copyright law.

In this episode, Aditya engages with Mr Radic in a critical discussion on one of the most consequential questions shaping the future of technology and regulation; Generative AI: Competition, Collusion, or Innovation?As AI systems rapidly transform global markets, the episode explores whether existing competition law frameworks are capable of addressing the unprecedented concentration of power in the hands of dominant technology firms. The conversation examines issues surrounding access to data and compute infrastructure, AI partnerships between startups and Big Tech, self-preferencing in digital ecosystems, and the possibility of algorithmic collusion without direct human intent.The discussion also delves into the growing tensions between intellectual property rights and innovation in the AI space, particularly in relation to training data, creators’ rights, and platform governance. Drawing from global regulatory developments including the approaches of the FTC, the European Commission, and the Digital Markets Act, the episode reflects on how legal systems across jurisdictions are attempting to balance innovation, competition, and accountability in an increasingly AI-driven world.

In this episode of the In Conversation with IPR and Competition Law Podcast, our Founder and Host Aditya Trivedi and Co-host Sania Bafna engage in a detailed discussion with Mr. Dirk Auer regarding "The 'Atlantic Divide': US vs. EU Digital Regulation". They examine whether the distinction between the U.S. protecting competition and the EU protecting competitors has become a permanent chasm in the era of the DMA. The conversation analyzes the "error cost" framework, the risk of "false positives" in EU regulation, and the geopolitical tensions arising from "trade-for-tech" negotiations involving tariffs and visa restrictions. They also address the emergence of "digital second-class citizenship" as major AI features and hardware functions are withheld from the European market and speculate on whether the two regions are headed toward completely different internets by 2030.

In this episode, Isheta Boruah is joined by Hadrien Gautrot, co-founder of Nicéphore and a professor at Sciences Po, to explore how generative AI is transforming the very language of cinema.What makes this conversation particularly compelling is the balance between innovation and responsibility. As a filmmaker working at the frontier of AI, Hadrien offers insight into how creative experimentation with AI can coexist with a conscious respect for intellectual property frameworks and authorship debates.Through the lens of Nicéphore’s work and films like The Endless Summer (Le Souvenir), the episode unpacks how AI is not just a tool, but a collaborator reshaping storytelling, aesthetics, and the role of the filmmaker.

In Part 2 of this series, we shift from theory to real-world impact. Why is personal data protection a practical concern for ordinary Indians? How do spam calls, digital scams, data breaches, and third-party processors increase everyday risk? And how effective is the DPDP Act in addressing these challenges?Hosted by Isheta Boruah & joining us again is Yash Vardhan Singh Roy, Data Protection & Privacy Analyst at The Global Data Protection Officer firm in London, Yash unpacks how India’s DPDP regime operates in practice.We discuss fiduciary obligations, data principal rights, grievance mechanisms, children’s data protections, and whether “reasonable security safeguards” are strong enough to protect users in India’s fast-evolving digital ecosystem.A focused conversation on privacy, accountability, and what individuals can do to reduce data risks today.

This episode of In Conversation with IPR and Competition Law delves into India’s evolving data protection landscape following the enforcement of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act. Hosted by Isheta Boruah with privacy expert Yash Vardhan Singh Roy, the discussion explores why a robust privacy framework became essential in a digitally driven India, where everyday services like UPI, Aadhaar-linked platforms, fintech apps, and OTT services continuously generate personal data.The conversation traces the legal journey from the Puttaswamy judgment to the final DPDP Act, highlighting key policy shifts, simplifications, and global comparisons with regimes such as GDPR. The episode also examines enforcement challenges, sectoral coordination, and the impact of emerging technologies, offering listeners a clear and practical understanding of India’s new privacy era and what it means for individuals and businesses alike.

This episode dives into “over-enforcement” in European patent law and asks where legitimate protection of innovation ends and abuse of rights begins. With Professor Leonard, we unpack how doctrines like proportionality and abuse of rights operate in practice—from pharma and SEP/FRAND disputes to the early case law of the UPC—and explore what reforms or normative tests might help courts strike a better balance between strong enforcement and misuse of patent power.

In this episode, our Founder & Host Aditya Trivedi speaks with Arpita Pattanaik, Economist at Compass Lexecon in Madrid, for a deep dive into the economics of competition law. They explore what economists actually do in merger reviews and antitrust cases, the FAQs clients often grapple with, the science of damage estimation, and how digital markets and zero-price competition are reshaping the field.

In this episode, our Founder and host Aditya Trivedi discusses with Arpita Pattanaik, Economist at Compass Lexecon at Madrid, Spain about economics of competition law. From understanding the role of an economist in a competition case or a deal, to asking the FAQs to clients and law firms, the conversation went deeper into damage estimation and methodologies. They also discuss digital markets, zero price competition and latest trends in economics of competition law