US tech giants accused of 'monopoly power'

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Monsanto has a monopoly on world wide seed production.

That's not quite correct and more than a little hyperbole - they have extensive IP in the area of genetically modified seeds, but not everything, everywhere. You can't get a patent or IP on naturally occurring products.

[up148]

I agree that Space-X (Elon Musk) seems to really have it together and he's producing a tangible product that others failed at (rockets & space travel) while bringing electric vehicles (Tesla) to the market, way ahead of the other giants in the industry.

Amazon is the top online sales organization and supplies products, but like Walmart, can keep smaller companies from succeeding just be cause of the "David and Goliath" principal. My only problem with them is they have created issues in the delivery industry that didn't exist before. Like the "hit and run" delivery of packages, where its tossed on the porch and not even a ring of the doorbell. UPS and Fed-X do the same now, but it wasn't like that before. They used to hand a package to you, but today there's apparently no time for this type of personal service.

I also don't like Bezos for getting into the media game (Washington Post), so he has a bully pulpit that allows him to interfere in politics.

Facebook on the other hand is social media, which I think is worthless. Facebook doesn't deliver a tangible product, just a service, for a world that is addicted to being connected to everything and to the "look at me and my life" mentality. All the while giving up personal info and security, they're either too stupid to understand or just don't care, as long as they have their addiction satisfied.

The biggest problem with these huge monopolies is that "absolute power corrupts absolutely". I believe this to be true as we see it in politics as well.

[up148]

Monsanto has a monopoly on world wide seed production.

That's not quite correct and more than a little hyperbole - they have extensive IP in the area of genetically modified seeds, but not everything, everywhere. You can't get a patent or IP on naturally occurring products.

They claim there's no more naturally occurring (non-GMO) produce/seeds out there, as due to pollination, all farmers are now using Monsanto's GMO licensed seed. I've seen several specials about farmers fighting Monsanto and Monsanto knows they'll bleed this farmers dry before they win in court.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I agree that Space-X (Elon Musk) seems to really have it together and he's producing a tangible product that others failed at (rockets & space travel) while bringing electric vehicles (Tesla) to the market, way ahead of the other giants in the industry.

Amazon is the top online sales organization and supplies products, but like Walmart, can keep smaller companies from succeeding just be cause of the "David and Goliath" principal. My only problem with them is they have created issues in the delivery industry that didn't exist before. Like the "hit and run" delivery of packages, where its tossed on the porch and not even a ring of the doorbell. UPS and Fed-X do the same now, but it wasn't like that before. They used to hand a package to you, but today there's apparently no time for this type of personal service.

How long ago was that - UPS handing you anything. Okay, at my office they did but that was with a pen in the other hand looking for a signature. I've never had UPS delivering anything for anyone hand me anything.

I also don't like Bezos for getting into the media game (Washington Post), so he has a bully pulpit that allows him to interfere in politics.

I'm not a fan of Rupert Murdoch either - don't think that a foreigner should own a US media outlet - let's foreign interests interfere in politics.....

Facebook on the other hand is social media, which I think is worthless. Facebook doesn't deliver a tangible product, just a service, for a world that is addicted to being connected to everything and to the "look at me and my life" mentality. All the while giving up personal info and security, they're either too stupid to understand or just don't care, as long as they have their addiction satisfied.

Their only real product is as an advertising platform and that makes a lot of money; collecting your info and selling/renting it makes money.

The biggest problem with these huge monopolies is that "absolute power corrupts absolutely". I believe this to be true as we see it in politics as well.

My only problem with them is that they have succeeded too well and now will get punished for being too successful -- sends a nice message of hypocrisy about capitalism and socialism in our society and our Gov't.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Monsanto has a monopoly on world wide seed production.

That's not quite correct and more than a little hyperbole - they have extensive IP in the area of genetically modified seeds, but not everything, everywhere. You can't get a patent or IP on naturally occurring products.

They claim there's no more naturally occurring (non-GMO) produce/seeds out there, as due to pollination, all farmers are now using Monsanto's GMO licensed seed. I've seen several specials about farmers fighting Monsanto and Monsanto knows they'll bleed this farmers dry before they win in court.

That's total nonsense and on Monsanto for failing to control their own products. But fighting Monsanto is a losing proposition. Does make it sort of impossible to have anything in a grocery story with a "natural" and non-GMO on the label. Wonder how that works, I'll have to ask my Amish neighbors.

[up148]

Yeah, I felt sorry for the farmer, as he had a very good size spread and was very successful, but was now going broke from fighting Monsanto. Believe this was either SD or Montana.

[chuck]

someone has to be able to reliably put up the satellites that Boeing fails on doing....

The commercial satellite launch is a joint Boeing/Lockheed business. When a launch fails, they both fail.

As far as the "report" goes I am not sure what there is to do about this. All of these companies have been insanely successful which is how they got where they are. They have been equally effective at dodging taxes which has contributed to their success. If you really want to "fix" things, change the tax codes.

BTW, the comparison to the oil/railroad baron's is a real stretch. None of these four companies directly competes on the same turf the way the oil companies and railroad companies did. They do not "collude" to fix prices. Their true competitors are pissed because they can't compete (they aren't capable) and they turn to the courts/government seeking redress.

[HONDO74]

Their true competitors are pissed because they can't compete (they aren't capable) and they turn to the courts/government seeking redress.

The Europeans have also accused these companies of the same things and have fined some of them

EU illegal state aid case against Apple in Ireland

On 29 August 2016, after a two-year investigation, Margrethe Vestager of the European Commission announced: "Ireland granted illegal tax benefits to Apple". The Commission ordered Apple to pay €13 billion, plus interest, in unpaid Irish taxes from 2004–14 to the Irish state.

[gregj410]

I agree that Space-X (Elon Musk) seems to really have it together and he's producing a tangible product that others failed at (rockets & space travel) while bringing electric vehicles (Tesla) to the market, way ahead of the other giants in the industry.

At whose expense? Can’t wait to see how they’ll dispose of the batteries in years to come. All the environmental whackos will surely look the other way knowing they did their part to save the planet and shut down coal....the very thing that charged their batteries to begin with.

[chuck]

Most of the electricity is now coming from natural gas, not coal.

Battery disposal costs are already factored into the price of the batteries like most hazardous materials we use. Complete life cycle costing was figured into the price structures as a way to discourage use of non recyclable materials. Been that way for a while.

[robert.]

92 percent of soybean acres in the USA are planted with Monsanto seeds. That's either a good product or a monopoly. I'd say " their coverage is better than Apple's or facebook.

[chuck]

It's also potential bad science/business. Anything goes wrong in terms of parasites or insect infestation and then you lose 92% of the crop.

[robert.]

plus they create unfair advantages. You must use their herbicides and pesticides or you can't buy their seeds

[rogruth]

Somewhere on MTJ a discussion was held recently concerning politics of all things,
Someone made the point and there was agreement from others that it was all about money.
That seems to be true in most everything anymore.

[chuck]

Someone made the point and there was agreement from others that it was all about money.
That seems to be true in most everything anymore.

It always has been about the money on some level. It's just gotten much, much, much worse/blatant/obvious. People aren't even trying to disguise it any more.

You're trying to kidnap what I have rightfully stolen"

. Fezzini's line to the Dread Pirate Roberts in the Battle of Wits scene.