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Piracy and competition

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  • BELLEFLAMME, Paul
  • PICARD, Pierre

Abstract

The effects of (private, small-scale) piracy on the pricing behavior of producers of information goods are studied within a unified model of vertical differentiation. Although information goods are assumed to be perfectly differentiated, demands are interdependent because the copying technology exhibits increasing returns to scale. We characterize the Bertrand-Nash equilibria in a duopoly. Comparing equilibrium prices to the prices set by a multiproduct monopolist, we show that competitiondrives prices up and may lead to price dispersion. Competition reduces total surplus in the short run but provides higher incentives to create in the long run.

Suggested Citation

  • BELLEFLAMME, Paul & PICARD, Pierre, 2005. "Piracy and competition," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2005083, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cor:louvco:2005083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    information goods; piracy; copyright; pricing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • K11 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Property Law
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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