Payment Card Systems as an Example of two-sided Markets - a Challenge for Antitrust Authorities

Tosza, Katarzyna (2009): Payment Card Systems as an Example of two-sided Markets - a Challenge for Antitrust Authorities. Published in: Yearbook of Antitrust and Regulatory Studies , Vol. 2009, No. 2(2) (2009): pp. 125-140.

Abstract

This article aims to present the concept of two-sided markets on the example of payment card systems, which have attracted the attention of regulatory and antitrust authorities in recent years. First, the paper offers a few insights into the basic economic theory behind two-sided markets. Second, it presents a brief description of payment card systems and their features. The following analysis focuses on arguments that speak in favour of a regulatory or antitrust intervention into payment card systems. Finally, some of the potential problems that antitrust authorities must face when assessing two-sided markets are presented on the basis of an assessment of the decisional practice of the UOKiK President and the European Commission.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: two-sided markets, antitrust v. regulation, interchange fees, payment card systems
• Subjects: K - Law and Economics > K2 - Regulation and Business Law > K21 - Antitrust Law

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