The Consumer Product Selection Process in an Internet Age: Obstacles to Maximum Effectiveness & Policy Options

II. BACKGROUND.......................................................................................................................... 4 A. The Internet Has Widened the Global Marketplace ......................................................... 4 B. Shopping the Internet “Without” Middlemen Can Be Frustrating................................... 5 C. What Shoppers Want and the Value of Databases............................................................ 5 III. ENSURING ACCESS TO ALL DESIRED OPTIONS........................................................................ 7 A. Prohibiting Misleading Claims of Coverage .................................................................... 8 B. Imposing Access Rules on Dominant Firms...................................................................... 8 C. Combating Efforts to Deny Buyers Options ..................................................................... 9 1. Enabling Consumers to Employ Effective Aggregators ............................................. 9 2. Licensing and Other Government RestraintsOn Choice ........................................... 10