Wireless: a peer-to-peer music asylum

I have to disagree here: You said:

"Monopolies happen because 1, people buy the things, 2, companies keep getting you to buy their things using one technique or another. It is easy to stop the monopoly in that you don't buy the products."

Monopolies happen because there are barriers to entry into a market for other firms. Those barriers can be either created (unfair trade practices; what AMD is accusing Intel of) or natural (RBOCs). A regulated monopoly (e.g. phone service) is NOT illegal, nor is it (in theory) detrimental to consumers. If a free market works the way it is supposed to, once one firm (Firm A) begins to profit considerably in an area, several other firms will begin to compete there. If Firm A is unlawfully wielding their position to keep other firms out, they are violating the law. Proving it is another matter.

I don't think a boycott is the way to beat the **AA's, at least not on the scale that you're talking about. Even if these forums are a representative sample of the population (No chance of that), than maybe 5% of the people care enough to boycott Big Media. That just won't get it done. Unfortunately, it looks like the media conglomerates aren't going anywhere soon because they have an oligopoly, which is considerably more difficult to substantiate and prosecute.; Posted by: Real World Posted on: 06/29/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use