[alexandercrohde]

Well, one way to level the playing field would be to disallow monopolization via the winner-take-all effect.

One way to do this would be to require public APIs, so that competitors can make rival designs/experiences.

For example, if Amazon uses its monopoly to only show its own products in the first page of search results, even when they cost more or have worse reviews, then a competitor could build an interface that does better.

[pmart123]

I still think this is a circumstance dependent scenario. For instance, should outside parties have public access to your social graph?

Also, I don’t think there is much value add if companies are just reverse engineering the incumbent. If Google allows another company to get its search results easily to copy search, did the world improve?

Google’s moat was partially disrupted by Facebook, a closed network, and mobile/mobile apps.

Your last example has occurred for a number of years with shelf space at grocery stores and pharmacies. The CVS branded Advil is cheaper, and CPG companies can pay to get the best shelf space.