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0 pointsmu531y ago0 comments

You are being overly semantic. There is a monopoly and duopoly, and regardless of the number of companies involved, antitrust laws can be used to break up these businesses and prevent anti-competitive practices to encourage market growth.

The e-book pricing scandal is an example of antitrust activity against a number of companies forming a cartel. The US government isn't bringing this case under those laws, but effectively for lay person conversations, using monopoly where more technical terms like duopoly is okay

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carlosjobim1y ago

In your comment above you've suggested two terms that fit better: "Duopoly" and "cartel".

Anti-competitive actions should be combated, but why do people insist that anything has to do with being a "monopoly"?

To draw a comparison, in criminal cases the courts will not determine if an accused is "a bad hombre" – they will determine if he committed the crime or not.

This is like those people (and lawmakers sadly) who try to define any sexual offense as "rape". Thinking that the severity of the crime is only tied to one single word.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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carlosjobim1y ago

In your comment above you've suggested two terms that fit better: "Duopoly" and "cartel".

Anti-competitive actions should be combated, but why do people insist that anything has to do with being a "monopoly"?

To draw a comparison, in criminal cases the courts will not determine if an accused is "a bad hombre" – they will determine if he committed the crime or not.

This is like those people (and lawmakers sadly) who try to define any sexual offense as "rape". Thinking that the severity of the crime is only tied to one single word.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse