Subway sandwich shops required all franchisees to employ a computerized point-of-sale (POS) system. The only approved system was provided by an unrelated company, RBS. Vendors of a competing POS system sued Subway’s parent, Doctor’s Associates, alleging, among other things, an unlawful tying arrangement.
a. Describe the alleged tie.
b. Defend Doctor’s Associates (Subway).
c. Explain what the plaintiffs would need to demonstrate in order to prevail.