How do property rights in information affect competition temporarily?

Property rights in information influence competition in the marketplace by establishing exclusive control over certain information, such as proprietary technologies or trade secrets. When a company holds property rights to an idea or piece of information, it can limit competitors' access to that information. This exclusivity allows the rights holder to set prices higher than they might be able to in a fully competitive environment, where information is freely available.

As a result, while the company benefits from higher prices and potentially higher profit margins for a period of time, the overall competition in the marketplace is reduced. Other companies may struggle to enter the market or compete effectively since they do not have access to the necessary information to innovate or provide alternatives.

In this context, the rights to control information can act as a barrier to entry for other firms, diminishing competition and allowing the rights holder to maintain higher pricing strategies until other players can develop competing solutions or the information becomes public. Thus, property rights in information lead to reduced competition, enabling the pursuit of elevated prices in the short term.