Hipster Antitrust is the latest of the challenges to the consumer welfare standard that has been dominant in the United States since the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, unlike prior attacks on the consumer welfare standard, it comes at a time when concerns about economic concentration and income equality are paramount. As result, the Hipster movement appears to have more staying power, and more backing than prior, largely academic questions raised about the consumer welfare standard. This piece examines the rise of the Hipster Antitrust movement, discusses what the concerns of its proponents are, and discusses the legislative debate around the issues. The piece closes with some brief thoughts about the issues that the Hipster movement is trying to solve, and whether the consumer welfare standard is the proper target of those concerns.
