i mean i’m not simping for capitalism here, but i think you’re confusing what a “monopoly” is. parmigiano-reggiano cheese is a legally protected term designating that only cheeses produced in certain areas can be labeled as such. no one’s saying you can’t copy the cheese and sell your own products, just that you can’t label it parmigiano reggiano if you’re not making it in those areas. people pay extra for it because it has higher standards of quality. the problem with counterfeiters is they’re basically making whatever quality they feel like and passing it off as the more expensive version.
“monopoly” means a company is taking over the entire market by snuffing out competition, not even allowing anyone to get a foothold in producing a competing product (see google). that’s not what’s happening with this cheese. some people buy the $1000 cheese. many, many more people buy just plain “parmesan” because it’s good enough for their needs. neither is the “wrong” choice, but there are definitely choices. but surely you can agree that false advertising can’t be a good thing?
i mean i’m not simping for capitalism here, but i think you’re confusing what a “monopoly” is. parmigiano-reggiano cheese is a legally protected term designating that only cheeses produced in certain areas can be labeled as such. no one’s saying you can’t copy the cheese and sell your own products, just that you can’t label it parmigiano reggiano if you’re not making it in those areas. people pay extra for it because it has higher standards of quality. the problem with counterfeiters is they’re basically making whatever quality they feel like and passing it off as the more expensive version.
“monopoly” means a company is taking over the entire market by snuffing out competition, not even allowing anyone to get a foothold in producing a competing product (see google). that’s not what’s happening with this cheese. some people buy the $1000 cheese. many, many more people buy just plain “parmesan” because it’s good enough for their needs. neither is the “wrong” choice, but there are definitely choices. but surely you can agree that false advertising can’t be a good thing?
https://www.thespruceeats.com/parmesan-vs-parmigiano-591198