Kopplungsgeschäfte

Kopplungsgeschäfte, also known as tied sales or bundling, are commercial practices where a seller requires a buyer to purchase one product or service as a condition of buying another desired product or service. This means the availability of one item is linked to the purchase of another, often unrelated, item. These transactions are common in various industries, from retail to telecommunications and software.

The purpose of a Kopplungsgeschäft can be multifaceted. Sellers might employ them to introduce new products, clear excess inventory, or leverage the popularity of a well-known item to promote a less popular one. In some cases, it can offer a perceived value to the consumer, where the bundled items together might be priced at a discount compared to purchasing them separately. However, consumers may find these practices restrictive if they only desire one of the bundled items and are forced to acquire the other.

Legally, Kopplungsgeschäfte are subject to scrutiny, particularly under competition and antitrust laws. If a dominant company uses bundling to unfairly disadvantage competitors or consumers, it can be deemed an illegal practice. Regulatory bodies often investigate whether such practices lead to market foreclosure, hinder competition, or exploit consumer choice. The legality often depends on the specific market conditions, the market power of the seller, and the degree to which the practice restricts competition.