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September 2013 Blog o’ Blogs

By  |  September 23, 2013

 

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    Steve Ballmer’s announcement that he’s stepping down as Microsoft’s CEO created two interesting debates – Becker v. Posner, Krugman vs. Gans – along with other reflections. We also wanted to note Ronald Coase’s passing, take a look at recent Android complaints in Europe, and observe some growing pains on the AML’s fifth birthday. 

     

     

     

    Microsoft’s Moving On

    Dynamic Competition and Anti trust Policy
    Anti trust policy should recognize that dynamic competition is often a powerful force when static competition is weak.

    Gary Becker (Becker-Posner Blog)

     

     

     

    Microsoft’s Dilemma
    It’s a bird in the hand, two birds in the bush, problem.
    Richard Posner (The Becker-Posner Blog)

     

     

     

    The Decline of E-Empires
    Creative destruction means that monopolies aren’t forever, but it doesn’t mean that they’re harmless while they last.
    Paul Krugman (NY Times)

     

     

     

    Is Microsoft of the 1990s similar to Apple of today?
    In many respects, therefore, we have the free from monopoly cost market that we tried to get in the 1990s and should be happy for it.
    Joshua Gans (Digitopoly)

     

     

     

    The Justice Department Was Absolutely Right to Go After Microsoft in the 1990’s
    Had that not happened, it’s entirely possible that Microsoft could have used its dominance of the PC marketplace to substantially pre-empt the rise of Google.

    Matthew Yglesias (Slate)

     

     

     

    Worries That Microsoft Is Growing Too Tricky to Manage
    But trying to do too much rather than wielding too much power is the issue now.

    Nick Wingfield (NY Times)

     

     

     

    Ronald Coase

    Coase
    Once you get it, it really upends your whole view of the world (or at least it did for me).

    Todd Zywicki (The Volokh Conspiracy)

     

     

     

    Remembering Ronald Coase: One of the Giants
    “A scholar must be content with the knowledge that what is false in what he says will soon be exposed,” he noted in his [Nobel] speech. “As for what is true, he can count on ultimately seeing it accepted, if only he lives long enough.”

    The Economist

     

     

     

    Why Can’t Android and Google Play Nice?

    Some thoughts on the new anti-Google (Android) complaint
    Actually, could we even say for sure that there is a “market” for licenseable OSs when all licenses (except Microsoft’s) are FreeSoftware licenses? (First of 3 posts)

    Alfonso Lamadrid (Chillin’ Competition)

     

     

     

    Android, Google and bundling: some follow-up thoughts
    Self-restraint is the only limit to the ability of the Commission to interfere with product design in high-technology industries.

    Pablo Ibañez Colomo (Chillin’ Competition)

     

     

     

    AML’s Growing Pains

    China’s antitrust push draws ire of US companies and regulators
    In the past year, even decisions to clear deals have confused antitrust specialists.

    Anousha Sakoui, James Politi, & Jamil Anderlini (Financial Times)

    Antitrust Investigations in China: Putting Things in Perspective
    During the meeting, an official from the NDRC stated that if they “put up a fight” during investigations, “I could double or triple your fines.” 

    Yasue (Becky) Nao Koblitz (The National Law Review)