ASCAP versus BMI (versus CBS): modeling competition between and bundling by performance rights organizations.

Bundling has been a long-standing issue in industrial organization. In recent years, bundling has gained renewed controversy as it has been employed by computer software manufacturers. This article examines BMI v. CBS (1979), which dealt with bundling by performance rights organizations (PROs). A mo...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Economic Inquiry Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 579 - 591
Autor principal: Kleit, Andrew N.
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell October 2000
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Bundling has been a long-standing issue in industrial organization. In recent years, bundling has gained renewed controversy as it has been employed by computer software manufacturers. This article examines BMI v. CBS (1979), which dealt with bundling by performance rights organizations (PROs). A model of competition between PROs using blanket licenses is presented. The usage of blanket licenses is shown to generate both higher profits for PROs and higher costs for the users of musical compositions when there are a small number of competing PROs. In addition, the model explains why blanket licenses are observed in unregulated PRO markets. (JEL L41, K21) Reprinted by permission of the publisher.