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Vertical Agreements and User Access

Author

Listed:
  • Germain Gaudin
  • Alexander White

Abstract

Platforms acting as sales channels for producers often charge users for access via a subscription fee or a markup on hardware. We compare two common forms of vertical pricing agreement that platforms use with sellers: per unit and proportional fees. In particular, we analyze the critical role that user access plays on prices, profits, and welfare under both forms of agreement. We characterize this role and show how it potentially overturns standard results saying that proportional fees lead to lower prices and higher profits.

Suggested Citation

  • Germain Gaudin & Alexander White, 2021. "Vertical Agreements and User Access," American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 13(3), pages 328-371, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejmic:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:328-71
    DOI: 10.1257/mic.20180339
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Etro, Federico, 2023. "Platform competition with free entry of sellers," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    2. Loginova, Oksana, 2022. "Branded websites and marketplace selling: Competing during COVID-19," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 577-592.
    3. Romain Lestage, 2021. "Input price discrimination and non-controlling vertical shareholding," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 59(3), pages 226-250, June.
    4. D’Annunzio, Anna & Russo, Antonio, 2024. "Platform Transaction Fees and Freemium Pricing," TSE Working Papers 24-1569, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    5. Kawaguchi, Kohei & Kuroda, Toshifumi & Sato, Susumu, 2023. "Relevant markets and market power of mobile apps," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    6. Federico Etro, 2024. "e‐Commerce platforms and self‐preferencing," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(4), pages 1516-1543, September.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • K21 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Antitrust Law
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • L42 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Vertical Restraints; Resale Price Maintenance; Quantity Discounts
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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