The Relevant Market as a Juridical Construct: Its Origins and Evolution under Moroccan and European Competition Law
Keywords:
Competition and Economic Law, Relevant Market, Monopoly, Regulatory Law, Praetorian Jurisprudence, and The History of Legal and Economic Events
Abstract
In competition law, delineating the boundaries of fair and effective market regulation remains a persistent challenge. Central to this challenge is the concept of the relevant market, which functions simultaneously as an economic analytical tool and a legal framework for assessing competitive behavior. In Morocco and the European Union, the relevant market ensures non-discriminatory access, preserves competitive neutrality, and maintains economic public order, serving as a fundamental pillar of antitrust enforcement. This study adopts a comparative and interdisciplinary methodology, integrating doctrinal legal analysis, economic modeling, and empirical examination of case law. It draws on Morocco’s Law No. 104-12 on the Freedom of Prices and Competition, Articles 101 and 102 TFEU, and the decisions of the Moroccan Competition Council alongside European jurisprudence. Through this approach, the research describes how the relevant market is operationalized and applied in practice to regulate anti-competitive conduct. This research paper traces the deployment of the relevant market throughout the history of economic thought, highlighting its conceptual evolution from classical and neoclassical theories to contemporary frameworks. It further examines the gradual consecration of the relevant market by Moroccan and European legal systems, showing how legislation and jurisprudence have progressively shaped its role as both a regulatory and analytical instrument. Findings indicate that the relevant market transcends its technical function to become a guiding legal principle for competition policy. By maintaining economic public order, ensuring market integrity, and promoting equitable competition, it serves as an essential instrument for both regulators and market participants. Comparative analysis emphasizes the European Union’s established doctrinal framework and Morocco’s emerging system, illustrating the importance of integrating economic reasoning with legal enforcement.
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References
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27. Genicot, N. (2020), L'Index de la sécurité juridique, ou comment promouvoir le droit continental par le biais d'un indicateur (The Index of Legal Security, or how to improve Continental Law through an indicator), Droit et société, Vol. 104, (1), 211-234.
28. Green, D.H. and RYANS, A-B. (March 1990), Entry Strategies and Market Performance Causal Modeling of a Business Simulation, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Vol. 7, (1), 45-58.
29. Houle, D. and SHAPIRO, O. (2014), Brand Shift : The Future of Brands and Marketing, David Houle & Associates.
30. Kaplow, L. (December 2010), Why (ever) define Markets?, Harvard Law Review, Vol. 124, (2), 437-517.
31. Korah, V. (2007), An Introductory Guide to EC Competition Law and Pratice, Hart Publishing, 9th Edition.
32. Lambin, J-J. and De Moerloose, CH. (2016), Marketing stratégique et opérationnel : La démarche marketing dans l'économie numérique (Strategic and operative marketing: approaching marketing in the digital economy), Management Sup, Dunod.
33. Le Roy, F. (2007), La concurrence, entre affrontement et connivence (Competition, between clash and collusion), Revue Française de Gestion, 1(158), 147-152.
34. Lesquins, J- L. (1994), Innovation et délimitation des marchés pertinents (Innovation and delineation of relevant markets), Revue d'économie industrielle, Vol. 4, 70, 7-15.
35. Lianos, I. (2007), La transformation du droit de la concurrence par le recours à l’analyse économique (The reshaping of competition law through economic analysis), Bruylant.
36. Liebeler, W. (1978), Market Power and Competitive Superiority in Concentrated Industries, The University of California, Los Angeles School of Law Review (UCLA), 25(1231), 1260-1266.
37. Lopatka, J. (June 2011), Market Definition?, Review of Industrial Organization, Vol. 39, 69-93.
38. March, J. (1999), The Pursuit of Organizational Intelligence, Oxford, Blackwell.
39. Miniter, R. (2002), The Myth of Market Share. Why Market Share Is the Fool's Gold of Business, Crown Business Briefings.
40. Peruzzetto, S. and Jazottes, G. (2008), Competition law, constraints and opportunities, in Qu'en est-il du droit de la recherche? (What about research law?), (pp. 373-387), Jacques Larrieu (ed.), Presses de l’Université Toulouse Capitole, Collection « Travaux de l'IFR », (Personal Translation).
41. Porter, M. (1982), Choix Stratégique et Concurrence (Strategic Choice and Competition), Economie, Paris.
42. Posner, R., (April, 2002), Pragmatism versus Purposivism in First Amendment Analysis, Stanford Law Review, 54(4), 737-752.
43. Prieto, C. (2018), Ententes : concours de volontés (Agreements: combination of wills), JurisClasseur Europe Traité, fasc. 1405.
44. Ries, A. and Trout, J. (1981), Positioning : The battle for your mind, McGraw-Hill Inc., New York.
45. Sibony, A-L. (2008), Le juge et le raisonnement économique en droit de la concurrence (The court and economic reasoning in Antitrust Law), LGDJ, Coll. Droit & Economie, Paris.
46. Trout, J. (June 1969), Positioning is a game people play in today’s me-too market place, Industrial Marketing, Vol. 54, (6), 51–55.
47. Trout, J. and Rivkin, S. (1996), The New Positioning : The latest on the worlds #1 business strategy, McGraw Hill.
48. Vandencasteele, A. (1999), La part de marché est-elle la clé de voûte du droit européen de la concurrence ? (Is market share the keystone of the European antitrust law?), in Mélanges M. Waelbroeck, Brussels, Bruylant, Vol. 2.
49. Whish, R. and Bailey, D. (2021), Competition Law, Oxford University Press, 31th Edition.
2. Baillergeau, D. (2006), Les stratégies de positionnement : les voies de la légitimité : le cas de l'industrie du surfwear (Positioning strategies: paths to legitimacy: the case of the surfwear industry), Doctoral Thesis (PhD), University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour (UPPA).
3. Ben Dlala Jenhani, S. (2007), Le positionnement des marques internationales dans un contexte globalisé : analyse critique des principaux déterminants et des axes décisionnels clés (The positioning of international brands in a globalised context: critical analysis of the main determinants and key decision-making factors), Doctoral Thesis (PhD), University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.
4. Benamour, A. (2010), La concurrence et les grandes problématiques de l’heure, Collection Thèmes Actuels : Culture de la concurrence – L’an I du Conseil de la Concurrence- (Competition and the major issues of the day, Current Issues Collection: The Culture of Competition – The first year of the Competition Council of The Kingdom of Morocco), REMALD, Rabat, (68).
5. Bennion, F. (2008), Statutory Interpretation, Butterworths Law, 5th Edition, London.
6. Bienaymé, J. (1998), Principes de concurrence (Principles of Competition), Economica.
7. Bosco, D. and Prieto, C. (2013), Droit européen de la concurrence : ententes et abus de position dominante (European Competition Law: Antitrust and Abuse of Dominant Position), Bruylant, Bruxelles.
8. BOY, L. (2005), L'abus de pouvoir de marché : contrôle de la Domination ou protection de la concurrence (Abuse of Market Power: Control of Domination or Protection of Competition), Revue Internationale de Droit Économique, Tome 9, Ed. De Boeck Supérieur, 2005/1, 27-50.
9. Brock, W. (December, 1983), Contestable Markets and the Theory of Industry Structure : A Review Article, Journal of Political Economy, 91(6), 1055–1066.
10. Brozen, Y. (1975), The Competitive Economy, New Jersey General Learning Press.
11. Brozen, Y. (November/December 1969), Competition, Efficiency and Antitrust, Journal of World Trade, Vol. 3, (6), 659-670.
12. Chandler, A. (1972), Stratégies et structures de l’entreprise (Strategies and company structures), Éditions d’Organisation.
13. Chevalier, M. Et Dubois, P-L. (2009), Les 100 mots du marketing (The 100 marketing terms), Presses Universitaires de France, Coll. « Que sais-je ? ».
14. Comanor, W. And White, L. (1992), Market Power or Efficiency : A Review of Antitrust Standards, Review of Industrial Organization, 7(2), 105-116.
15. Combe, E. (2020), Économie et politique de la concurrence (Economics and Competition Policy), Deuxième édition, Dalloz, Paris.
16. DE Gramont, D. (1996), Propos impertinents sur le marché pertinent dans le droit de l’Union (Uppity statements on the Relevant Market in European Union Law), Dalloz Affaires, (5).
17. Deffains, B. and Pellefigue, J. (2018), Vraiment pertinent ? Une analyse économique des marchés pertinents (Really Relevant? An Economic Analysis of the Relevant Markets), Revue Trimestrielle de Droit Commercial, (3), 555-573.
18. Desaunettes-Barbero, L. Et Thomas, E. (2019), Droit matériel européen des abus de position dominante : textes et commentaires (European Substantive Law on Abuse of Dominance: Legal Texts and Commentaries), Bruylant, Bruxelles.
19. Diawara, K. (2008), Le contrôle de la puissance de marché par les droits canadien et européen de la concurrence : Contribution à une approche juridique du marché (The supervision of Market Power by Canadian and European Competition Law: Contributing to a Legal Approach to the Market), Doctoral Thesis (PhD), Laval University, Quebec.
20. Driedger, A. (1983), Construction of Statutes, Butterworth & Co., 2d Edition, Canada.
21. Dubois, P-L., Jolibert, A., Gavard-Perret, M-L. And Fournier, CH. (2013), Le Marketing. Fondements et pratique (Marketing: fundamentals and practices), 5th ed., Economica, Paris.
22. Dussange, P. (1986), L'industrie de l’arme Economique (The Economic Arms Industry), Dunod, Paris.
23. El Azhary M. (2022), L’instrumentalisation de la définition du marché pertinent aux fins de la mise en œuvre des droits marocain et européen de la concurrence : Etat des lieux et réflexion prospective (The instrumental use of the relevant market definition for the purposes of implementing the Moroccan and European competition laws: Current situation and forward-looking considerations), European Scientific Journal (ESJ), 18 (35), 169.
24. El Azhary, M. (2021), L’égalité de traitement entre entreprises en droit marocain et européen de la concurrence (Equal Treatment of Companies in Moroccan and European Law on Competition), Doctoral Thesis (PhD) in Legal and Political Sciences, Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez.
25. El Azhary, M. (2024). L’Approche juridique, épistémique et finalistique du marché pertinent en droits marocain et européen de la concurrence : état des lieux, enjeux et réflexion prospective (The Juridical, Epistemical, and Finalistical Approaching of the Relevant Market in The Moroccan and European Competition Law: State of Affairs, Challenges, and Prospective Reflection), European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 20(8), 49.
26. Feydel, R. (2015), La fluidité du marché : essai en droit des marchés (Market fluency: an essay on the law of markets), Librairie Eyrolles, Paris.
27. Genicot, N. (2020), L'Index de la sécurité juridique, ou comment promouvoir le droit continental par le biais d'un indicateur (The Index of Legal Security, or how to improve Continental Law through an indicator), Droit et société, Vol. 104, (1), 211-234.
28. Green, D.H. and RYANS, A-B. (March 1990), Entry Strategies and Market Performance Causal Modeling of a Business Simulation, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Vol. 7, (1), 45-58.
29. Houle, D. and SHAPIRO, O. (2014), Brand Shift : The Future of Brands and Marketing, David Houle & Associates.
30. Kaplow, L. (December 2010), Why (ever) define Markets?, Harvard Law Review, Vol. 124, (2), 437-517.
31. Korah, V. (2007), An Introductory Guide to EC Competition Law and Pratice, Hart Publishing, 9th Edition.
32. Lambin, J-J. and De Moerloose, CH. (2016), Marketing stratégique et opérationnel : La démarche marketing dans l'économie numérique (Strategic and operative marketing: approaching marketing in the digital economy), Management Sup, Dunod.
33. Le Roy, F. (2007), La concurrence, entre affrontement et connivence (Competition, between clash and collusion), Revue Française de Gestion, 1(158), 147-152.
34. Lesquins, J- L. (1994), Innovation et délimitation des marchés pertinents (Innovation and delineation of relevant markets), Revue d'économie industrielle, Vol. 4, 70, 7-15.
35. Lianos, I. (2007), La transformation du droit de la concurrence par le recours à l’analyse économique (The reshaping of competition law through economic analysis), Bruylant.
36. Liebeler, W. (1978), Market Power and Competitive Superiority in Concentrated Industries, The University of California, Los Angeles School of Law Review (UCLA), 25(1231), 1260-1266.
37. Lopatka, J. (June 2011), Market Definition?, Review of Industrial Organization, Vol. 39, 69-93.
38. March, J. (1999), The Pursuit of Organizational Intelligence, Oxford, Blackwell.
39. Miniter, R. (2002), The Myth of Market Share. Why Market Share Is the Fool's Gold of Business, Crown Business Briefings.
40. Peruzzetto, S. and Jazottes, G. (2008), Competition law, constraints and opportunities, in Qu'en est-il du droit de la recherche? (What about research law?), (pp. 373-387), Jacques Larrieu (ed.), Presses de l’Université Toulouse Capitole, Collection « Travaux de l'IFR », (Personal Translation).
41. Porter, M. (1982), Choix Stratégique et Concurrence (Strategic Choice and Competition), Economie, Paris.
42. Posner, R., (April, 2002), Pragmatism versus Purposivism in First Amendment Analysis, Stanford Law Review, 54(4), 737-752.
43. Prieto, C. (2018), Ententes : concours de volontés (Agreements: combination of wills), JurisClasseur Europe Traité, fasc. 1405.
44. Ries, A. and Trout, J. (1981), Positioning : The battle for your mind, McGraw-Hill Inc., New York.
45. Sibony, A-L. (2008), Le juge et le raisonnement économique en droit de la concurrence (The court and economic reasoning in Antitrust Law), LGDJ, Coll. Droit & Economie, Paris.
46. Trout, J. (June 1969), Positioning is a game people play in today’s me-too market place, Industrial Marketing, Vol. 54, (6), 51–55.
47. Trout, J. and Rivkin, S. (1996), The New Positioning : The latest on the worlds #1 business strategy, McGraw Hill.
48. Vandencasteele, A. (1999), La part de marché est-elle la clé de voûte du droit européen de la concurrence ? (Is market share the keystone of the European antitrust law?), in Mélanges M. Waelbroeck, Brussels, Bruylant, Vol. 2.
49. Whish, R. and Bailey, D. (2021), Competition Law, Oxford University Press, 31th Edition.
Published
2025-10-31
How to Cite
El Azhary, M. (2025). The Relevant Market as a Juridical Construct: Its Origins and Evolution under Moroccan and European Competition Law. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 21(29), 87. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2025.v21n29p87
Section
ESJ Humanities
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohamed El Azhary
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
