The challenges of antitrust law in 21st century

The essay deals with one of the basic type of economic policy - the law of competition. Overseas foundations of antitrust law from the end of 19th century opened the doors for expansion such a economic policy not only in USA, also in Europe. The view on the necessity competition policy has changed during the 20th century and also its conception has undergone signifi cant evolution - while at the beginning of last century authorities fought hard against trusts, in recent years the theme of antitrust law reform including the possibility of its total elimination is relevant. The essay concerns on the key moments of historical development of view on competition protection in the 20th century - the century of antimonopoly fi ght. The introductory part deals with theoretical aspects of course of study, further the hands-on experience from the German region - the European cradle of antimonopoly law. Then the competition policy of European ... which makes foundations of antimonopoly law of the members of European Union is surveyed. Its application is illustrated by main decrees of European judicial authorities. At the end the union reform of competition policy on the threshold of 21st century and contemporary the most discussed antimonopoly case against Microsoft company are mentioned.European Union, Germany, competion, antitrust policy, monopoly