▲ | daft_pink 4 days ago | |
Breaking up a monopoly must follow sustainable business lines. The court’s early idea of forcing Google to spin off Chrome risked crippling the product and disrupting the market without restoring competition. The remedy was later scaled back, leaving Google with little more than a slap on the wrist. By contrast, the AT&T and Microsoft cases succeeded because they targeted natural, profitable divisions that could stand alone. Addressing areas like Azure or MacBooks, which are not monopolies, does nothing to reduce monopoly power. A more effective remedy in Google’s case would have been dividing its multiple monopolies, rather than divesting loss-leading but essential units. Profitability alone does not define a monopoly, but once one is identified, ensuring that each division can operate as a viable business is crucial. |