4 ms·

it was well defined enough for the FTC to bring this suit with a pretty detailed complaint, I think we're good there "other companies" don't have the same mark

it was well defined enough for the FTC to bring this suit with a pretty detailed complaint, I think we're good there "other companies" don't have the same market power here, or indeed engage in the same anticompetitive behavior, but again, that's all explained when you read the FTC complaint detailing the actual behaviors in question

taeric 3y ago
Sadly, no it isn't. Them calling out that they are not going after Amazon because they are too big, but because they did thing X is very problematic for the clear definitions. That is, as well defined as some concerns are, this complaint actually throws out a ton of that and makes it even less clear.
- ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
  fortunately, it was, hence the existence of the complaint if the FTC didn't know whether their rules applied, they wouldn't have been able to draft a complaint explaining how they do penalizing suppliers for offering lower prices elsewhere, for example, is pretty clearly anticompetitive
  - taeric 3y ago
    Don't confuse criticism of the FTC with praise for Amazon here. The FTC seems to be continuing weak cases, and at least some of us view that as very problematic. If we are going to rebuild some of the surrounding rules such that these practices are illegal, I'm all for it. If it turns out that I'm wrong and they do manage to make the market healthier with a suit against Amazon, great. This doesn't look strong in that direction, though. This reeks of populist appeal from folks that know it is a politically savvy move to bash Amazon.
    - ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
      there's no need, as the practices are already illegal, and the rules are already built, and the FTC is already filing strong cases like this one the criticism of this latest case, however, reeks of corporate worship from folks that know that Amazon is in the wrong (as the complaint documents)
      - taeric 3y ago
        This is not a strong case, is what a lot of us are asserting. You can disagree there, but realize our disagreement here isn't that Amazon is a good company. It is on the strength of this case. It really feels like one that is being brought more for optics than otherwise. I say this as someone that thought they should have had a strong case against Microsoft buying Activision. And yet, just look how that went. Maybe I'm wrong. Shouldn't take too long for us to find out, all told. I remember the stories of what Walmart did and still does in retail, though. It is obscene to see how that has played out in time.
        ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
        I understand you are asserting that, and what a lot of us are asserting after reading all the allegations is that it is a strong case You can disagree, and that's fine, I'm not saying your personal disagreement specifically is support for Amazon, it's just that's the optics of the individuals disagreeing with the case the FTC presented here, for a lot of us, seem to be corporate/capitalism worship and/or personal disagreement with the existing rules and laws against anticompetitive behavior that Amazon clearly violated here (as detailed in the complaint)
        taeric 3y ago
        I'd love to see a longer take regarding what makes you think these claims are strong. Especially with the backdrop of losses the FTC has been having, though, these feel weak. It sucks that the only real commentary out right now is the expected appeals online. So, we'll see. Hopefully quickly.

taeric 3y ago

Sadly, no it isn't. Them calling out that they are not going after Amazon because they are too big, but because they did thing X is very problematic for the clear definitions. That is, as well defined as some concerns are, this complaint actually throws out a ton of that and makes it even less clear.

ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
fortunately, it was, hence the existence of the complaint if the FTC didn't know whether their rules applied, they wouldn't have been able to draft a complaint explaining how they do penalizing suppliers for offering lower prices elsewhere, for example, is pretty clearly anticompetitive
- taeric 3y ago
  Don't confuse criticism of the FTC with praise for Amazon here. The FTC seems to be continuing weak cases, and at least some of us view that as very problematic. If we are going to rebuild some of the surrounding rules such that these practices are illegal, I'm all for it. If it turns out that I'm wrong and they do manage to make the market healthier with a suit against Amazon, great. This doesn't look strong in that direction, though. This reeks of populist appeal from folks that know it is a politically savvy move to bash Amazon.
  - ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
    there's no need, as the practices are already illegal, and the rules are already built, and the FTC is already filing strong cases like this one the criticism of this latest case, however, reeks of corporate worship from folks that know that Amazon is in the wrong (as the complaint documents)
    - taeric 3y ago
      This is not a strong case, is what a lot of us are asserting. You can disagree there, but realize our disagreement here isn't that Amazon is a good company. It is on the strength of this case. It really feels like one that is being brought more for optics than otherwise. I say this as someone that thought they should have had a strong case against Microsoft buying Activision. And yet, just look how that went. Maybe I'm wrong. Shouldn't take too long for us to find out, all told. I remember the stories of what Walmart did and still does in retail, though. It is obscene to see how that has played out in time.
      - ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
        I understand you are asserting that, and what a lot of us are asserting after reading all the allegations is that it is a strong case You can disagree, and that's fine, I'm not saying your personal disagreement specifically is support for Amazon, it's just that's the optics of the individuals disagreeing with the case the FTC presented here, for a lot of us, seem to be corporate/capitalism worship and/or personal disagreement with the existing rules and laws against anticompetitive behavior that Amazon clearly violated here (as detailed in the complaint)
        taeric 3y ago
        I'd love to see a longer take regarding what makes you think these claims are strong. Especially with the backdrop of losses the FTC has been having, though, these feel weak. It sucks that the only real commentary out right now is the expected appeals online. So, we'll see. Hopefully quickly.