Title: Disruptive innovation and digital economy: antitrust practices and legal challenges

Authors: Sherin Priyan; Gouri Gargate

Addresses: Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India ' Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India

Abstract: Disruptive innovation has complicated the innovation competition debate due to its fundamental nature of changing consumer markets and their choices. In this paper, the authors have focused on the scope and extent of disruptive innovation, the effect on the existing market players (incumbents), and the role of the digital markets in increasing the frequency of disruptive innovation. The authors have considered the role played by disruptive incumbents, mainly the big tech companies, and the treatment of the regulatory authorities toward such business practices. In analysing this, the authors have considered the USA, EU, and India merger control practices. Doctrinal research methodology is used for this research.

Keywords: disruptive innovation; incumbent firms; digital disruptions; abuse of dominant position; market definition.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.147791

International Journal of Intellectual Property Management, 2025 Vol.15 No.4, pp.311 - 334

Received: 27 Feb 2024
Accepted: 28 May 2024
Published online: 01 Aug 2025 *

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