Summary
1. The federal government seeking to take over even more sectors of the US economy is not enough. 2. It also apparently gets to decide the proper success levels of major corporations. 3. At least for Google’s main business, any antitrust case is absurd because the end user essentially pays nothing.
Analysis
A key element in even thinking about a possible antitrust violation should be the ability to fix or discriminate on pricing. Another significant trigger would be a decrease in entrepreneurial inventiveness (hardly a problem on the web). Antitrust laws in the US should not be used to prohibit companies from reaching their full potential.
Although there was no apparent evidence to the conflict concerning the “overlap of directors,” it will probably be “address[ed] by resignations.” It will likely not be enough that Mr. Schmidt...excuses himself from portions of Apple board meetings when directors discuss the iPhone.” In fact, Schmidt could make a meaningful statement by giving up his position in the President’s advisory council.
The assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's anti-trust division made the following statement recently: “For me, Microsoft is so last century.” It is amazing to realize that the degree to which a firm is fashionable as a target is such an important factor.
