PLATFORM NETWORK EFFECTS EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY AND CONSULTING

A platform network effects expert witness testimony consultant and trial testifying consulting advisor for law firms and attorneys is a common sight in litigation as of late. In the rapidly evolving modern economy, it’s common to see litigants argue (and platform network effects expert witness providers consider) what types of companies fall into the category and whether such businesses dominate sectors ranging from social media to e-commerce. Lawyers turn to consultants who are SMEs in litigation to handle related issues, helping courts understand the complex interplay between user growth, engagement, and competitive dynamics. Below are five common types of cases such consultants are involved in, along with 50 representative types of products and services that litigants argue about (including as to whether they’re platforms at all) and advisory pros might cover.

5 Types of Legal Cases:

1. Antitrust and Competition
   Such matters focus on monopolistic behavior or market dominance driven by certain behaviors. Top platform network effects expert witnesses may evaluate barriers to entry, tipping points, or whether a provider unfairly leveraged its network to stifle competitors.

2. Intellectual Property (IP) and Trade Secrets
   When companies allege misappropriation of proprietary algorithms or platform mechanics, experts assess whether the network design, user flow, or feedback loops were unique and valuable.

3. Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
   Regulatory reviews of tech mergers sometimes hinge on debates around growth patterns and competitive advantages. A platform network effects expert witness reviewer may analyze whether a deal could lead to anti-competitive behavior due to strengthened platform advantages.

4. Consumer Protection and Privacy
   With user data sometimes important to company growth, platform network effects expert witnesses evaluate how influences relate to data collection practices, informed consent, and user lock-in.

5. Commercial Damages and Breach of Contract
   And of course you’d see platform network effects expert witness authorities on the economics side work to quantify damages in cases involving broken partnerships, exclusivity deals, or service disruptions, considering lost users or degraded network value.

50 Products and Services a Platform Network Effects Expert Witness Might Cover:*

• Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter/X

• Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify

• Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart

• Apple App Store, Google Play

• Airbnb, Vrbo

• Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack

• YouTube, Twitch, Netflix

• LinkedIn, Reddit, Pinterest

• WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram

• Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft

• Stripe, Square, PayPal, Venmo

• Google Search, Bing

• Discord, Clubhouse

• OpenAI API, GitHub

• Duolingo, Coursera, Khan Academy

• Bumble, Tinder, Hinge

• Zillow, Redfin

• Yelp, TripAdvisor

• Substack, Medium

Such cases and businesses illustrate how volatile the topics can be in modern business—and the critical need for platform network effects expert witnesses to analyze them rigorously in court.

* Noting that litigants and experts frequently argue about what does and does not actually constitute a platform or network effect constantly.