THE EXEMPTION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ANTITRUST LAW

Abstract

Research and development are placed at the heart of the European strategy for achievement of sustainable growth within knowledge economy. At the same time, research and development agreements are restrictive agreements in the meaning of Antitrust law. Therefore regulators must find a balance between protection of competition and stimulation of technological progress. In this paper the Commission Regulation No 1217/2020 analyzed. It is the regulation on the application of Article 101(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to certain categories of research and development agreements.