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If the state I lived in only had one supermarket chain, and the only way I could shop somewhere else was if I moved to another state, that supermarket chain wou

If the state I lived in only had one supermarket chain, and the only way I could shop somewhere else was if I moved to another state, that supermarket chain would be called a monopoly, yes? Just because I can move to another state doesn't mean that the sole supermarket chain in my current state isn't a monopoly.

bilbo0s 16y ago
You don't need to move to another state, just use another phone. You can't argue that the Honda Civic alternator won't work on your Mercedes, and the part is only made by Mercedes. When you bought the Benz, they locked you in. You can go somewhere else to get service. But guess what, that mechanic will have to purchase the part from the Mercedes supplier. That is true lock in. Same with servicing the on board computer software. You want the updates? Sorry, only available through Mercedes and Mercedes suppliers. Oh sure you can go to Joe Bobs Auto Service, but then HE will have to order from Mercedes or a Mercedes supplier. OP was right, this model has been around a while.
- johndlafayette 16y ago
  I'm not arguing that a Honda Civic alternator won't work in my Mercedes and that's a bad thing. That's like saying I'm upset that apps built for the Google OS don't work for an Apple OS. I'm wondering why I can't buy an 'aftermarket' part for my Mercedes without Mercedes taking a cut. Last time I checked, I could buy a new sound system for my car without paying the original manufacturer. Buy new tires for my car without paying the original manufacturer. I can buy a new engine that's not built by Mercedes as long as it fits in the engine compartment, can't I? Or am I wrong and Mercedes does get a cut of my new tires, even if they aren't tires that Mercedes builds itself?
  - johndlafayette 16y ago
    Also, if I do buy a new engine that needs to specially fit into my awesome Mercedes, I do pay my mechanic a small fee, but the mechanic is the one that makes it work in my Mercedes (the programmer that makes the program work on an Apple OS). I also pay the manufacturer of the engine (the programmer that manufactures the program). Just to be clear, I LOVE Apple for almost everything, and have owned an Iphone for years. Have used Apples for work and will readily admit that they're the absolute best you can buy for design work. Also, sorry if I use incorrect terminology at any point (I'm a business student). I'm just trying to wrap my head around how this situation became legal. I sincerely appreciate all of the feedback about this subject, and I hope nobody takes offense if I argue points back. I'm simply trying to learn more about the situation, and arguing a point and being proven wrong is the best way I've found that I can learn more about the current issues in tech.
MasterOfMagic 16y ago
Just having a monopoly is not illegal. It is only when this monopoly position is abused that it is illegal. Apple does not have a monopoly over the mobile phone space, and therefore I highly doubt what they are doing is illegal.

bilbo0s 16y ago

You don't need to move to another state, just use another phone. You can't argue that the Honda Civic alternator won't work on your Mercedes, and the part is only made by Mercedes. When you bought the Benz, they locked you in. You can go somewhere else to get service. But guess what, that mechanic will have to purchase the part from the Mercedes supplier. That is true lock in. Same with servicing the on board computer software. You want the updates? Sorry, only available through Mercedes and Mercedes suppliers. Oh sure you can go to Joe Bobs Auto Service, but then HE will have to order from Mercedes or a Mercedes supplier. OP was right, this model has been around a while.

johndlafayette 16y ago
I'm not arguing that a Honda Civic alternator won't work in my Mercedes and that's a bad thing. That's like saying I'm upset that apps built for the Google OS don't work for an Apple OS. I'm wondering why I can't buy an 'aftermarket' part for my Mercedes without Mercedes taking a cut. Last time I checked, I could buy a new sound system for my car without paying the original manufacturer. Buy new tires for my car without paying the original manufacturer. I can buy a new engine that's not built by Mercedes as long as it fits in the engine compartment, can't I? Or am I wrong and Mercedes does get a cut of my new tires, even if they aren't tires that Mercedes builds itself?
- johndlafayette 16y ago
  Also, if I do buy a new engine that needs to specially fit into my awesome Mercedes, I do pay my mechanic a small fee, but the mechanic is the one that makes it work in my Mercedes (the programmer that makes the program work on an Apple OS). I also pay the manufacturer of the engine (the programmer that manufactures the program). Just to be clear, I LOVE Apple for almost everything, and have owned an Iphone for years. Have used Apples for work and will readily admit that they're the absolute best you can buy for design work. Also, sorry if I use incorrect terminology at any point (I'm a business student). I'm just trying to wrap my head around how this situation became legal. I sincerely appreciate all of the feedback about this subject, and I hope nobody takes offense if I argue points back. I'm simply trying to learn more about the situation, and arguing a point and being proven wrong is the best way I've found that I can learn more about the current issues in tech.

MasterOfMagic 16y ago

Just having a monopoly is not illegal. It is only when this monopoly position is abused that it is illegal. Apple does not have a monopoly over the mobile phone space, and therefore I highly doubt what they are doing is illegal.