Kopplungsgeschäft

Kopplungsgeschäft, often translated as tying or bundling, refers to a business practice where the sale of one product or service is made conditional on the customer's purchase of a second, often unrelated, product or service. This strategy is employed by companies to increase sales, introduce new products, or leverage market dominance.

In a typical Kopplungsgeschäft, a customer cannot buy product A without also purchasing product B. For example, a software company might offer its popular operating system only if the customer also buys a less popular application. This can be beneficial for the seller by creating demand for the bundled item. However, it can be detrimental to consumers who may not need or want the second item and are forced to pay for it.

The legality of Kopplungsgeschäft varies by jurisdiction and depends heavily on market conditions and the potential for anti-competitive effects. In many regions, such practices are scrutinized by antitrust authorities to prevent abuse of dominant market positions. If a company holds a significant market share, requiring the purchase of an additional product can be seen as an unfair advantage that stifles competition and limits consumer choice. Regulations often aim to ensure fair competition and protect consumers from being coerced into unwanted purchases.