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Platform Liability and Innovation

Author

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  • Doh-Shin Jeon

    (Toulouse School of Economics, University of Toulouse Capitole, 1, Esplanade de l’Université, 31080 Toulouse, Cedex 06, France)

  • Yassine Lefouili

    (Toulouse School of Economics, University of Toulouse Capitole, 1, Esplanade de l’Université, 31080 Toulouse, Cedex 06, France)

  • Leonardo Madio

    (University of Padova, Department of Economics and Management, Via del Santo, 33, 35139 Padova, Italy)

Abstract

We study an e-commerce platform's incentives to delist IP-infringing products and the effects of introducing a liability regime that induces the platform to increase its screening intensity. We identify conditions under which platform liability is socially desirable (respectively, undesirable) by analyzing its intended and unintended effects on the innovation incentives of brand owners. We show that making the platform liable for the presence of IP-infringing products can lead to a reduction (instead of an increase) in brand owners' innovation if the platform responds to more screening by raising its commission rate. We then consider various extensions that allow us to identify additional forces that strengthen (respectively, weaken) the social desirability of liability. We conclude by presenting some implications for policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Doh-Shin Jeon & Yassine Lefouili & Leonardo Madio, 2021. "Platform Liability and Innovation," Working Papers 21-05, NET Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:net:wpaper:2105
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yassine Lefouili & Leonardo Madio, 2022. "The economics of platform liability," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 319-351, June.
    2. Federico Etro, 2023. "e-Commerce Platforms and Self-preferencing," Working Papers - Economics wp2023_07.rdf, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze per l'Economia e l'Impresa.
    3. Martin Peitz, 2023. "Governance and Regulation of Platforms," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2023_480, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    4. Alessandro De Chiara & Juan-José Ganuza & Fernando Gómez & Ester Manna & Adrián Segura, 2023. "Platform Liability with Reputational Sanctions," Working Papers 1403, Barcelona School of Economics.
    5. Alessandro De Chiara & Ester Manna & Antoni Rubí-Puig & Adrian Segura-Moreiras, 2021. "Efficient copyright filters for online hosting platforms," Working Papers 21-03, NET Institute.
    6. Leonardo Madio, 2023. "Content Moderation and Advertising in Social Media Platforms," "Marco Fanno" Working Papers 0297, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche "Marco Fanno".
    7. Jay Pil Choi & Doh-Shin Jeon, 2022. "Platform Design Biases in Ad-Funded Two-Sided Markets," Post-Print hal-04018490, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Platforms; Platform Liability; Intellectual Property; Innovation; Delisting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L43 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Legal Monopolies and Regulation or Deregulation
    • L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications

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