互联网平台实施限定交易行为的正当理由认定——以比例原则为视角

Definition of the Justification for Internet Platforms Implementing Exclusive Dealing——From the Perspective of the Principle of Proportionality

《国务院反垄断委员会关于平台经济领域的反垄断指南》虽然阐明了互联网平台实施限定交易行为的正当理由,但仍存在着适用模糊的问题。比例原则与该正当理由条款具有内在契合性,可以用来解释该条款。根据比例原则,认定平台经营者是否具有实施限定交易行为的正当理由,应分析限定交易行为是否具有目的正当性和手段正当性。前者在于分析限定交易行为是否具有提高效率、维护公平、促进竞争等任一项正当目的;后者在于从适当性、均衡性、必要性这三项比例原则的子原则出发,判断限定交易行为的实施是否必然达成了某项正当目的,达成正当目的所产生的效益是否超过了实施限定交易行为带来的损害以及限定交易行为所造成的损害是否相对最小。据此,可以更加合理地得出平台经营者进行抗辩的正当理由是否成立的结论。

Although the“Anti-Monopoly Guidelines of the Anti-Monopoly Commission of the State Council on Platform Economy”clarified the justification for Internet platforms implementing exclusive dealing,there are still problems of ambiguity in the application.The principle of proportionality can be used to explain the provision of justifications for Internet platforms implementing exclusive dealing due to its inherent similarities with the provision.According to the principle of proportionality,to determine whether an Internet platform has justifications for implementing exclusive dealing,it is necessary to analyze whether the exclusive dealing has legitimate purposes and legitimate means.The former is to analyze whether the exclusive dealing has the legitimate purposes of improving efficiency,maintaining fairness,and promoting competition;The latter is to judge whether the implementation of exclusive dealing will achieve a certain legitimate purpose,whether the benefit generated by the legitimate purpose exceeds the damage caused by the implementation of exclusive dealing and whether the damage caused by exclusive dealing is relatively minimal according to the three sub-principles of the principle of proportionality—appropriateness,balance,and necessity.Based on that,it is more reasonable to conclude whether the justification defense of Internet platforms is valid.