Wire · regulatory
The Rise of Monopoly Maintenance Cases and What It Means Beyond Big Tech
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Fusion42 · 30 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
US antitrust enforcement is increasingly targeting 'monopoly maintenance,' where companies are prosecuted not for achieving dominance but for illegally preserving their market position. While recent government cases have focused on Big Tech, this legal theory poses a significant risk for any market-leading, vertically integrated company in sectors like healthcare, media, or entertainment.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
Market dominance is now a liability trap, not just an end goal. Once you are the leader in your niche, US regulators view standard tactics like exclusive deals or self-preferencing as potentially illegal 'monopoly maintenance'.
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