I would like to believe this is the dominant factor. It would provide a good argument for the abolishment of rents quickly (copyright length, patent length) and make another argument against extending patent protection to genes or software less compelling.<p>That said, the &quot;boom&quot; in startups is all about creating rents as a way of funding the business. Whether its the percentage cut that Uber or AirBnB takes or the price you charge advertisers for access, those are by this definition just rents transferring wealth from the consumers and workers into a third party&#x27;s pocket.