Platform Ecosystems: Understanding Rights and Risks for Platform Providers, App Developers and Analytics Companies

Alex Reese, Stephanie Skaff and Nadia Arid discuss "Platform Ecosystems: Understanding Rights and Risks for Platform Providers, App Developers and Analytics Companies."

Today’s technology platforms are complex ecosystems where third-party independent software vendors (ISVs), API developers, and scrapers come together to develop new applications and products that can benefit both the platform and its end customers. In this new ecosystem where dozens or even hundreds of companies are dependent on access to a technology platform, what laws govern the rights between the parties? This new and fast changing area of the law is sweeping in many different types of claims and doctrines, including unfair competition, antitrust, CFAA, First Amendment, contract, and promissory estoppel. Join us in a discussion of the litigation trends and legal theories that will help companies in this ecosystem better understand their rights and risks in these relationships.