Redistribution via competition policy: A case study of creative industries

Bostoen,Friso

Item

Redistribution via competition policy: A case study of creative industries

Bostoen,Friso

Abstract

Does competition policy do redistribution? Should it? This article tackles that first question, looking at redistribution between firms, particularly in creative industries. The answer is positive: there is a variety of methods through which competition law redistributes, which I divide in three categories: (i) tools that prevent concentration to safeguard the distribution of rents; (ii) tools that promote competition to shift the distribution of rents; and (iii) tools that mitigate monopoly by reorganizing the distribution of rents. Examining the mechanics of each method exposes difficulties and opportunities, and provides a sound basis to tackle the follow-up question of whether competition policy should engage in redistribution differently or more deeply.