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Re:Uber London loses licence to operate by microcolonel on Friday September 22, 2017 @07:58PM (#15317052)
> Could you expand on that point please because my understanding of the term monopoly, "the exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service." would align with the point the other commenter is raising.

pbhjpbhj's comment implies that by addressing a niche market, you would avoid the drive to monopolize. I'm arguing that if you are addressing a niche market, you are working to monopolize that market, and you don't have to monopolize the whole market of similar services to be a monopoly. For example, Microsoft has a monopoly (in this case a government one) on producing Microsoft Windows, but Microsoft Windows is not the only PC operating system.

Similarly, you could monopolize a certain demographic. For example, Microsoft has an effective monopoly in PC operating systems when it comes to government administration workstations in most countries.

Re:Uber London loses licence to operate by Nursie on Monday September 25, 2017 @07:07AM (#15329443)
>> I'm arguing that if you are addressing a niche market, you are working to monopolize that market, and you don't have to monopolize the whole market of similar services to be a monopoly.

That's pretty much what a monopoly is, and even in your niche, not everyone wants to be a monopoly.

I have a friend who runs a small craft beer bar. Another craft beer bar is going to open two doors down. To him this is great - the area becomes known for craft beer and more people come along. There is no monopoly there.

>> For example, Microsoft has a monopoly (in this case a government one) on producing Microsoft Windows, but Microsoft Windows is not the only PC operating system.

But they tried to make it that way, and came close for a while. That's the time period they had various anti-competition lawsuits aimed at them.

This is what most people are talking about when they are talking about monopolies, and it's clear that not every business aims to be one.