Which of the following could lead to the formation of a monopoly?

The formation of a monopoly is significantly influenced by legal protections such as patents and copyrights. When a company secures a patent, it obtains exclusive rights to produce and sell a particular product or service for a specified period. This legal barrier prevents other firms from entering the market with the same or similar offerings, thereby allowing the patent holder to dominate the market without competition.

In the case of copyrights, these protect the original works of creators, which can also lead to scenarios where a single entity has exclusive control over the production and distribution of certain artistic or intellectual properties. Such protections enable the firm to maintain its market position and reduce the risk of competitive pressure, contributing to monopoly power.

On the other hand, high competition levels, equal market share among multiple firms, and a low degree of market control would typically be scenarios that promote competition rather than the consolidation of market power seen in monopolies. These factors enable consumers to have choices, keeping prices competitive and preventing any single firm from dominating the market landscape.