[grishka]

The companies themselves aren't the problem, they are a symptom. The real problem is governments, especially the US government, that happily use their monopoly on the use of force to help such companies enforce such business models.

[ngcazz]

So is your point that companies are put in a position where they _have_ to take advantage of government's use of force?

Elsevier could well come up with a business model that isn't purely based on extraction, rent-seeking and legal intimidation, but the problem is that governments possess legal resources that have good-faith use cases?

[grishka]

Yes, the problem is that governments allow such business models. These legal resources are used overwhelmingly with bad faith and to the detriment of the society, so maybe they need to be reformed.

[mint2]

Okay so you’re advocating for increased government regulation to combat this?

[grishka]

More like a full redo of the copyright system so it couldn't be abused like this.

[ngcazz]

To be clear, I 100% agree regulation and more commonsensical legislation is fundamental to stop and punish bad players like Elsevier. I just find it gross that consolidated players invariably go their way.

[amomchilov]

Taken a step further, why does the US government help enforce such business models?

[grishka]

Because the it's the most powerful government in the world and is the only one among the most powerful ones that legally allows bribes.

[amomchilov]

And who do those bribes come from?

Companies. They come from companies, which are how greedy business models manifest in the real world.

[hiddencost]

Ludicrous