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Re: The Technology Liberation Front » Archive » Against Platform Monopolies: Zero-Sum Competition

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Re: The Technology Liberation Front » Archive » Against Platform Monopolies: Zero-Sum Competition

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Re: The Technology Liberation Front » Archive » Against Platform Monopolies: Zero-Sum Competition

MikeT — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:49:53 -0000

Well, I understand that point. I am still puzzled how free marketers like the PFF can actually even consider it without revulsion. Then again, "IP Libertarians" seem to have a funny way of subjugating physical property rights for the many to the the most minute "property rights" of the IP minority. It's almost an ends-justify-the-means mentality.

What concerns me is that we are not creating property rights and capitalism, but rather mercantilism. At the end of the day, it's a reversion to the mercantilist regulatory policy to "extend property rights" to a platform vendor.

Ironically, when I argue with such people that the only way to promote property rights here is to normalize IP to the standards and cultural norms of physical property (which includes ending all platform rights and "inherent contractual agreements"), they scream "socialist!" Oh well, I'm sure it makes sense to them in Happy Policy Wonk Wonderland.

Re: The Technology Liberation Front » Archive » Against Platform Monopolies: Zero-Sum Competition

Tim — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:13:00 -0000

Mike,

I think part of the visceral reaction you and I have to the notion is a result of working in the computer industry, where platform competition is ubiquitous and reverse-engineering is fairly common. If your experience with technology is limited to consumer products, the idea of platform monopolies seems more plausible, as several major consumer platforms (i.e. Windows and gaming consoles) are monopolies.

In any event, while I find the "it's my computer, I paid for it, and I'll do as I please with it" argument compelling, I also think there's a strong economic case for platform competition. Since not everyone seems to find the personal liberty argument to be decisive, I'm hoping the economic argument will be more persuasive.

Re: The Technology Liberation Front » Archive » Against Platform Monopolies: Zero-Sum Competition

MikeT — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 07:24:12 -0000

Tim, I must confess that I am a little bit confused as to why people who confess to be pro-free market public policy advocates would actually have anything less than a visceral reaction to platform monopolies. I like your blog posts on these subjects, but it seems like the PFF is a little bit warm to the idea of platform monopolies (my perception at least from Solveig Singleton's posts) and the original posts by Randall Picker on the UChicago Blog. How on Earth can someone reconcile free market principles and individual property rights with platform monopolies without becoming an extreme sophist?