ovides. (Colander, 2004)
             Because there are other firms that sell similar products, we cannot classify Dell Inc. as a monopoly. Although Dell does have the patents on numerous products and on the ways it operates online, there are other firms that operate in similar ways.
             Dell operates in a monopolistic competition market. In this market, there are many sellers. The next characteristic is product differentiation. Although the products these competing firms sell are similar in what they do, they are indeed each different. In this market there are multiple dimensions of competition. In a perfect competitive market, the only competition is price. Here each firm has to advertise to compete and convince the buyer that their product is superior. Service and distribution outlets are other major factors in this competitive arena. The last condition to have a monopolistic
             competitive market is the ease of entry of new firms in the long run. There are no significant barriers to entry in this case. There are significant barriers to entry in an oligopoly. There are only a few firms in this market structure.
             In conclusion, it is clear to see that Dell Inc. operates in a monopolistic competitive market.
             Barriers to entry are defined as political, social, or economical impediments that prevent firms from entry into a market. In a monopolistic competition market, in which Dell Inc. operates, there are no political or social impediments. There are legal barriers such as patents that prevent other firms from operating the same way. Dell holds patents in not only their line of desktop and notebook computers as well as the other products
             they manufacture, but they also hold patents in the way in which they distribute their products. They hold eight patents in online distribution. Two of which are international patents. (Dell, 2003)
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