Anti-competition issues between Taiwan's cable TV system operators and channel providers - new rules of engagement?

Taiwan's cable TV system operators have formed multiple system operators (M SOs), while channel providers have formed multiple channel providers (MCPs) . Through horizontal and vertical integration, the mergers have formidable market bargaining power in the channel- licensing market. The Fair Trade Ac t does not prevent unfair channel licensing trade in Taiwan. This paper rec ommends an open channel-licensing mechanism, which can be used to remedy th e "concerted purchasing actions" of the MSOs and the "concerted selling act ions" of the MCPs. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.