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How Germany Became The Leading Big Tech Trust Buster

Germany is a Western European country surrounded by forests, rivers, mountain ranges, and North Sea beaches. With over two thousand years of history, Germany boasts vibrant art, nightlife scenes, and landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate from WWII.

Germany has taken the lead in the fight against Big Tech. Still, others are joining this antitrust initiative.

How Germany became Europe’s leading Big Tech trustbuster

European regulators are gradually enacting their own antitrust rules, but Germany is taking the lead and setting the law. This can be seen in Section 19a of the German Competition Act – touted as one of Europe’s most antitrust-friendly pieces of legislation ever to enter EU books. While this section boasts many useful features, one particularly noteworthy one is its capacity to provide guidance when regulating Big Pornos Tech companies.

One of its most outstanding achievements is its capacity to identify which companies fall within its regulatory purview and then apply the most antitrust-friendly regulatory tool: an ex-post penalty based on customer value. This can fundamentally change how the competition plays out in today’s digital age, especially for smaller firms seeking to challenge established market leaders.

Berlin has long been known for its tech sector innovations, from e-commerce booze snoopers to luxurious gadgets. But what sets Berlin’s tech scene apart is its unique government policies. From new regulators to high-flying tycoons, Berlin is influential in encouraging European competition and innovation.

The German Competition Act

Germany achieved historic leadership in Europe’s Big Tech trust-busting movement when its government passed the German Competition Act (ARC), also known as Gesetz gegen Restraints of Competition), in 2017. This law introduced several changes designed to give Germany’s antitrust enforcer more tools to curb anti-competitive behavior by digital platforms.

On January 19th, 2021, the German antitrust agencies adopted several significant and well-founded innovations to better prepare them for dealing with the unique challenges that digital markets and firms present. These modifications are especially relevant to companies providing advertising services or offering zero-priced services to consumers.

For instance, the new law empowers the Federal Cartel Office to take proactive measures against companies with “paramount cross-market significance” under Section 19a of the ARC, so they can impose remedies even before abusing their dominant market position. This represents a radical departure from current practice where competition authorities only act against abusive market positions once they become established.

Furthermore, the law plugs a longstanding loophole in existing legislation that permits companies to avoid fines through restructuring. This has drawn public criticism, especially after members of a German sausage cartel restructured without paying their fines.

Another significant provision in the new law gives the FCO authority to impose remedies, such as divestitures, against “significant persistent or repeated disruptions to competition” after a sector inquiry by the FCO has been completed. This provision, the “fourth pillar” of German antitrust law alongside traditional prohibition rules on cartels, abuse control, and merger control, seeks to fill an enforcement gap when harm to competition cannot be attributed directly to anti-competitive conduct but rather arises due to non-competitive market structure.

The German government hopes the new tools will allow it to more effectively address anti-competitive behavior by digital platform companies than other competition authorities worldwide, giving it leverage in discussions regarding EU Digital Market Act reforms. On the other hand, Germany is worried that EU regulations might conflict with its own national laws.

The European Union’s antitrust “arms race”

One reason for the “arms race” is that European regulators are increasingly scrutinizing vertical mergers and asking whether they could stifle competition. Furthermore, they appear more open to behavioral remedies like divestitures and injunctions – which has been observed by agencies like the FTC and DOJ in the US.

To this end, the Commission has released a series of guidance documents to assist parties in recognizing potentially problematic deals that would not otherwise have been investigated, such as those below traditional revenue thresholds. Generally speaking, these transactions can be cleared without further investigation after an initial routine review.

Despite this approach’s success, several challenges remain that need to be addressed. These include access to SEP Youporn licenses for everyone, what constitutes a reasonable royalty rate, limited SME involvement in standards development activities, and disputes over FRAND rates and terms.

In response to these issues, implementers and SEP holders suggested that more prescriptive guidance be provided on the FRAND commitment. This could be achieved by creating a specialist tribunal or board to make public determinations on FRAND rates and terms on a case-by-case basis.

SEP holders and implementers also noted a need for more transparency regarding FRAND rates and conditions, which could result in excessive royalties being charged by SEP owners or refusals to license. They suggested these issues be addressed by providing SEP holders with disclosure requirements such as disclosing comparable FRAND licenses partially redacted or setting upper limits for FRAND rates.

Finally, respondents generally worried that SEP holders were breaching their voluntary FRAND commitments, leading to more licensing disputes. They cited the recent Huawei v ZTE case as evidence that courts in England and Wales will only grant an injunction if a SEP holder first provides an implementer with a license under FRAND terms.

In addition to these worries, some respondents highlighted the many SEP holders charging excessive royalties. It was suggested that this indicates a blockage in progress as SEP holders use their market power to pressure implementers into accepting non-FRAND licenses.

The future of regulation

The new German law will significantly develop the European Union’s antitrust “arms race” against large tech platforms. It aims to limit the power of social media giants and other tech platforms to manipulate online markets and suppress competition.

The DMA’s focus on “gatekeeper” platform providers such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google creates a distinct class of companies subject to more regulation than other players. It could be an example for regulators worldwide.

Additionally, it opens the door for more data collection and regulation by EU member states and the Commission. These agencies can inspect these firms’ records to identify which algorithms they employ and how they engage in competitive practices.

But there is also the potential that the law could harm smaller tech companies that need more resources to meet their new obligations. For instance, messaging services would need to provide their most basic version of apps for EU users and remove features they offer elsewhere.

Economists refer to this phenomenon as market failure.

This explains why politicians often grant regulatory independence to guarantee the long-term viability of sectors.

Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis of regulations can be an effective tool for assessing their efficiency. It asks whether the benefits of following the rules outweigh any associated costs.

Regulations can be complex to calculate, and there is much controversy about their effectiveness. Some believe they can be, while others suggest they should be avoided altogether.

Generally speaking, two main types of regulations exist those with market-based effects and those without. Those with market-based products can be beneficial as they stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment rates.

Conversely, regulations with market-based effects can be effective as they stifle competition or raise the prices of goods and services. These types of rules are known as non-market-based regulations. They include limits on environmental pollution, laws against child labor or other employment regulations, minimum wages, food safety rules, and zoning & development approval rules.

Innovating Poland: Renewable energy and mobility

The Shinkansen of Japan, the traditional high-speed train, is vital to the national spirit as a symbol of high-tech power. Finding the will to build a successor after 20 years of economic and demographic stagnation is proof of the determination of Japan’s commitment to remain a technological pioneer. In Shanghai, China their Transrapid is the fastest Maglev system globally,  currently used in passenger transport.

Rail engineering company Hyper Poland is splitting the journey to the Hyperloop destination into two parts. First, hyperloop, a train-like transport system designed to showup ground-breaking speeds. Second, a new mode of transport allows people and goods to move at high speed based on sustainable transport.

The first step is developing a system called Magrail, a passive magnetic levitation capsule that can be operated on existing railway lines at speeds of up to 415 km / h—allowing conventional trains and magnet trains to run on the same track. The system could be implemented on commercial routes within five to eight years.

Magrail technology tests on a full-scale to start this year

Modernized existing rails

The idea behind the Magrail is that the technology can be implemented on existing railway infrastructure. Currently, it can run at about 160 km / h and needs modernization to lower speeds. Existing rails already have linear motors installed, yet both sides of the rails have floating plates.

Using a linear motor and passive magnetic levitation technology on existing tracks would allow speeds of up to 550 km / h on the high-speed rail infrastructure.  Hence maintaining basic railway functionality. Still it would also allow the operation of hybrid railways developed by the European technology company Nevomo.

Nevomo will start implementing Magrail technology on a significant line in summer 2021. After that, the vital Magrail elements – linear motors and magnetic levitation – will be ready for the ultimate Hyperloop upgrade.

Nevomo is a Polish company founded in 2017 by Przemyslaw Paczek, Katarzyna Foljanty, Pawel Radziszewski and Lukasz Mielczarek. Graduates of Warsaw University of Technology. In March 2018, the company won recognition as one of the best start-ups in the mobility sector in Europe.

Hyper Poland is one of the beneficiaries of a global initiative of the Microsoft Startup Program, which supports promising technology companies worldwide. Today Hyper-Poland, the innovative Polish transport start-up, reached its equity capital target of 451,000 euros and raised more than one million euros in a successful campaign on Seedr.

Ongoing plan to innovate

The multi-million-pound investment will enable one of Poland’s most innovative companies, expand its research into passive magnetic levitation. And to adapt it to the existing railway infrastructure by building a whole test track. In addition, the investment will enable further development of the company’s unique Magrail technology. Hence a solution that enables the adapted magnetic levitation infrastructures to existing railways. The younger brother of Elon Musk’s Hyperloop, the Hyper-Poland passive magnet train, is a technology that could revolutionize the world of Polish railways.

In October 2019, Roksa Warsaw a live demonstration of the Magrail technology, a high-speed rail system. The maximum speed of the test was 50 km / h, with an acceleration of 6 m / s2 and deceleration of 1.5 m / s2.

The Magrail technology is to be operational by 2025, said Pavel Radziszewski, Nevomo’s board member and CTO. Ciech Sarzyna will offer Nevomo access to the railway line and adjacent infrastructure, including office buildings and warehouses in Nowa Sarzynas in the Podkarpacie region of Poland. The test vehicles will feature a linear propulsion system with passive levitation tests, driven by an electronic system controlled by a multi-segment linear motor.

Hyper-Poland is working on this technology. Thanks to it we can travel from Gdansk to Krakow in just 30 minutes. Plans to speed up Poland for years will become genuine with Magrail technology.

Energy and innovation | Shell Global

Steps toward better quality of live and renewal resources

A report last month projected that by 2030, solar energy would be the world’s most economical generation resource. Even more economical than hydrocarbons and other renewables. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) estimates that 25% of US households will have solar panels by 2024. In a recent Pew poll, 46% of homeowners said they had seriously considered signing up to datezone and adding solar panels in the past year.

On Friday, a Polish company unveiled to the world the first commercial line of photovoltaic modules. These are based on ground-breaking perovskite technology that could change the accessibility of solar energy. Saule Technologies,  named after the Baltic goddess of sunlight. The company produces photovoltaic panel panels using a new inkjet printing process developed by company founder Olga Malinkiewicz.

Producing solar modules using a new inkjet printing process invented by founder Olga Malinkiewicz. Saule Applied Science on Friday launched the world’s first industrial production line of photovoltaic modules. Based on ground-breaking perovskite expertise. That might revolutionize the entry of solar energy.

Investment and hope towards innovating Poland

Namely the technology has been in the works for more than a decade. Still, the plant opened at a fortuitous time when the EU member was experiencing a solar boom. Poland relies on coal for most of its energy needs. The EU plans to reduce emissions and close its mines by 2049.

Financed by Poland‘s leading green energy company Columbus Energy and Japanese multi-millionaire Hideo Sawada. The office supports research and development in solar energy to improve the affordability, reliability, and benefits of solar technology for the electricity grid. Consequently, commercially available solar panels are more than ten times more efficient.

Coated with flexible and lightweight perovskite film photovoltaic modules are attached to a surface to generate electricity for a building. If your solar system generates surplus energy, the utility company will buy that energy from you in the form of a net meter credit on your bill.

Which Home Theater is right for you?

Home theater sound systems have evolved into two popular categories, soundbars and surround sound all-in-one units. You can purchase a receiver and buy speakers separately, but this option appeals more to audio enthusiasts. Both the soundbar and surround sound all-in-one are good choices but offer different benefits.

What is a SoundBar Exactly?

The soundbar is a long rectangular box lined with many speakers. These units come with separate sub-woofer speakers for a low-end boost. The slim form of the soundbar sits nicely below a flat-screen television, and the sub-woofer fits snugly next to the entertainment center. While this option doesn’t provide true surround sound, to watch your favorite free porn videos, there are pluses to the soundbar.

SoundBars are Available at a Lower Price Point

Soundbars can be much less expensive. Basic models come priced under a hundred dollars. While not true surround sound, these units offer superior performance to your TVs onboard speakers. Budget-wise, soundbars can cost less than surround sound all-in-ones and still provide better audio than your TV.

SoundBars are Simple to Install

There isn’t much to connect when installing a soundbar. The speakers are already pre-wired and only require you to plug the unit into an outlet for power and connect to your TV. This means that without much hassle, you can be watching a movie quickly after unboxing.

All-In-One" Home Theater System Review | Bose lifestyle, Home  entertainment, Home cinema systems

What is a Surround Sound All-In-One?

A surround sound all-in-one is a unit that comes with everything you need for a true surround system for all your hentai viewings. There is a receiver that includes a Blu-ray player, front, side, and rear speakers, as well as a sub-woofer. The number of speakers included depends on whether you want 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. While more complex than a soundbar, these units offer a closer movie theater experience.

Surround Sound Systems are Powerful

Once set up, a surround sound all-in-one system will exceed your expectations and transform your entertainment. Being able to hear sounds coming from different directions feels more immersive. As the action in the movie shifts from right to left or the monster growls directly behind you, it really adds to the experience. Big budget films put a lot of work into the audio, and without a surround sound system, you’re not hearing it.

Surround Sound Systems Allow More Configuration

Adjusting each speaker’s volume, equalizer levels, and selecting special audio encoding is standard on the surround sound units. Dolby and DTS are audio encoding options which if compatible with your movie, can shape the sound to what the director intended. Also, there are typically several different presets for different types of media. There can be sports, cinema, music, and night modes to customize to the content you’re watching. To be fair, soundbars can also have presets, but typically don’t offer as many options.

Which One is Right for You?

Either type of system is going to be better than your television audio. For ease of setup and lower price, the soundbar can’t be beaten. However, for a truer theater experience, greater configuration, and audio encoding, a surround sound all-in-one system is superior. It depends upon what you’re looking for and your media watching habits. You certainly can’t go wrong upgrading from the basic audio incorporated into your TV.

Bel-air K 8 prepares to open doors Coming school year

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) — 56 classrooms 118,000 square feet And also three STEM labs after that the classrooms are willing at the brand-new faculty away Jimmie Dyess Parkway.

The halls are vacant today but soon 800 students all over the country’s zone 10 are certain to obtain fingers on the newest technology.

3D printers and computer images classes are only the beginning of STEM classes.

“Every time we could expose children to Technology from an young period, it can help their development using all those skills. Therefore this faculty will have tons of technology. All grade levels, K through 8, could have use of technology and it’ll build,” explained Kaden Jacobs, Richmond County Schools Spokesperson.

With a 27-million spending budget, school officials say it’s a investment they’d to create.

“We’re very, very Conscious of this Expanding industry from the Augusta region. We are aware that tech is most likely our biggest growth area for a residential district ”

The faculty will bring about students away from Over crowded schools such as Reynolds Elementary and Langford Middle, a part of a county wide rightsizing procedure.

“After we left the NPU changes sooner this Year, we divide the Reynolds zone in order that half of those kiddies are currently zoned for Dyess Parkway. However, what we did was to the middle schoolerswe started up it allowing folks to employ throughout our’school choice,”’ Jacobs stated.

There is still a while to on the Ball field plus so they’ll fill out the pond on land, but officials state students here will probably soon be create for victory.

“You understand the building is complete And that is really all amazing. However, a construction does not have its spirit until you will get the teachers as well as the children within. We’re very excited about that school year and that I feel that this is a superb illustration of the matters we could do together.”

The window for prospective faculty of alternative Software starts in November for families that reside within this zone. Jacobs also said they are Trying to Talk about the technologies at Bel-air K 8 To colleges throughout the county.

TSA students Buy eight awards out of Tech Matches

Within their very first visit to the NCTSA Eastern Conference regional contest, TSA students from South Lenoir High School brought home eight awards, for example three-first place awards. The group isalso, from leftfront , Lenoir County Public Schools

LCPS students from Technology Student Association nightclubs in two schools gained eight awards, including three Firstplace awards, in that NCTSA Eastern Conference regional contest from Goldsboro on Friday.

South Lenoir TSA exhausting the parade of awards together with the Tech Bowl group from Contentnea-Savannah K 8 School included an eighth award. This had been South Lenoir’s very first visit to the regional occurrence, which brought centre and higher school TSA’s from counties east of Guilford.

“I might not be prouder of the TSA students and’m specially happy with South Lenoir,” Amy Jones, LCPS’s manager of senior high school education/CTE, ” said. “This is a superb revealing for a proven chapter and also the simple fact it had been their very first time speaks volumes regarding the excellence of their app.”

South Lenoir winners were: Ashton Heath, very first location, Future Technology Teacher, and also next location, Flight Endurance; Matthew Turner, very first location, Transport Modeling; Brian Martinez Gonzalez, first location, Kids’ Stories; Marco Resendiz and Brandon Rodriguez, next location, Architectural Design; Callie Eason and Parker White, next location, Structural Style and Engineering; along with Hechun Zhang, third location, Dragster Design.

Gwen Boney may be your club adviser.

Contentnea-Savannah pupils Jackson Heath, Matthew Hill and Jared Carlyle awakened to take third position from the Tech Bowl contest. Tech Bowl tests students’ comprehension of a vast selection of technology skills in an initial written evaluation also, for all those teams which progress, in mind boggling, question-answer contest.

Stephanie Harrell may be your CSS club adviser.

TSA contests in the regional, national and state degrees evaluations students’ skills in greater than 30 technology-related locations, from computer programming and site designing to photography and digital video generation. Friday’s contest was held in Wayne Community College.