限制競爭私人執行及集體訴訟之研究──以美國及歐盟法制之比較為中心

Abstract

違反競爭法的行為除了損害市場競爭秩序（公益）外，亦常對私人權益造成損害，故各國競爭法普遍設有關於私人損害賠償訴訟之規範，此即所謂「私人執行（private enforcement）」。從現行統計資料觀之，我國限制競爭私人執行案件數量極為稀少，無論是與美國及歐盟之發展情形相比，抑或與我國不公平競爭案件之私人執行情形相比皆形成鮮明對比。基此，本文擬透過全面檢討美國與歐盟於限制競爭私人執行方面之各項構成要件，以釐清我國制度發展停滯之癥結，並據此提出具體改革建議。本文發現，我國現行私人執行制度自公平法制定以來已歷三十餘年，然於立法層面幾無實質變革；在司法實務方面，亦僅有近期最高法院於113年度台上字第1911號民事判決中首度就私人執行制度提出明確見解。此一情形與美國及歐盟於立法與司法層面不斷推動制度精進與調整實有顯著落差。是以，本文在全面檢討相關構成要件後，聚焦於四項核心面向提出改革建議，分別為：因果關係之認定、時效障礙事由之增訂、公共執行對後續私人執行之拘束力，以及證據近用制度之強化。另外，本文亦展望制度逐漸成熟後可能面臨之挑戰，首先即為終端消費者提起集體訴訟之可行性與制度設計。為此，本文探討美國與歐盟競爭法中關於集體訴訟之相關制度，並分別就法院與當事人層面提出本文建議之改革方向。最後，本文亦設想當我國制度發展至更為成熟之階段後可能出現類似美國法早期為人詬病之濫訴風險，並進一步探討屆時應如何調整制度以維持私人執行整體之平衡。

In addition to harming the competitive order of the market (the public interest), violations of antitrust law often infringe upon private rights and interests. Accordingly, most jurisdictions provide rules governing private damage claims under antitrust law, a mechanism commonly referred to as private enforcement. According to available statistical data, the number of private enforcement cases in Taiwan remains extremely low, presenting a stark contrast both to the developments in the United States and the European Union, and to the relatively more frequent private enforcement of unfair competition cases within Taiwan itself. In light of this, the present thesis aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the constitutive elements of private enforcement concerning anticompetitive conduct in the United States and the European Union, in order to identify the root causes behind the stagnation of Taiwan’s system and to offer concrete reform proposals. The findings reveal that Taiwan’s current private enforcement regime has seen virtually no substantial legislative reform since the enactment of the Fair Trade Act more than thirty years ago. In the judicial sphere, only a recent decision by the Supreme Court has, for the first time, provided an explicit opinion on the system of private enforcement. This stands in marked contrast to the continuous legislative and judicial refinement observed in both the U.S. and EU systems. Based on a thorough review of relevant legal requirements, this thesis proposes reforms focused on four core aspects: (1) the standard for establishing causation; (2) the introduction of additional grounds for tolling the statute of limitations; (3) the binding effect of public enforcement on subsequent private actions; and (4) the enhancement of access to evidence. Furthermore, this thesis anticipates future challenges as the system matures—chief among them being the potential emergence of class actions initiated by end consumers. In this regard, the thesis examines the class actions mechanisms under U.S. and EU competition law, and accordingly offers reform recommendations at both the judicial and party levels. Finally, the thesis considers the possibility that, as the system in Taiwan continues to evolve and mature, it may encounter risks of abusive litigation similar to those historically criticized in the U.S. legal system. It therefore further explores how the Taiwanese regime could be adjusted to preserve the overall balance and legitimacy of private enforcement.