Re: bundling (again)

["Lewis A. Mettler" <lmettler@lamlaw.com>]

Joe,

Joe Moore wrote:
> 
> "Lewis A. Mettler" wrote:
> > > If you mean that "bundling is inherently unfair for some consumers", I
> > > would say that the fairness is not inherent to the bundling, since it is
> > > not universal.  So your generalization is not justified.
> >
> > Sorry.  But, if you can find a specific exception that does not
> > invalidate the general rule.
> 
> Your general rule is that bundling is unfair to all consumers.  This
> premise is FALSE because there are consumers for whom bundling is fair.
> (see previous example)

Incorrect.  The general rule is true.

If your suggestion were acceptable (and no one can accept it) then there
would never be any general rules about anything because there are always
at least one exception.

Look again at the three classes:

1) those who do not need the bundled product
2) those who might need the bundled product but prefer to pick their
brand
3) those who need the brand and do not want to pick their brand.

Now.  Which of those classes are you claiming that bundling is fair?

All you have done is falsely stated your conclusion.  But, you did not
identify the consumer class.

It can not be #1.  They do not need the product.

It can not be #2.  They prefer to pick their own brand.

It can not be #3.  (No one exists in this class. At least no one on this
list.)

Do not simply state your conclusion but fail to explain to which
consumers you think the forced sale is fair.



> 
> If you would like to revise your statement to be "bundling is unfair to
> SOME consumers", I would accept it, as would (probably) most readers of
> this list.

Sorry.  But, the proof is that it is unfair to 100% of consumers unless
you can accurately identify the class of consumers to which it is not
unfair.

I have explained in detail how it is unfair to all classes.
 
You have failed to even explain the exception to the general rule. 
(There is not one.)


-- 
Lewis A. Mettler, Esq.(Attorney and Software Developer)
lmettler@LAMLaw.com
http://www.lamlaw.com/ (detailed review of the Microsoft antitrust
trial)