Answer: B. granting patents to firms with new inventions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Government grants patents to companies that have new inventions, they are creating barriers to entry because other companies will be unable to do the business of the company with the patent as that company's operations in relation to that new invention, will be protected by the Government from being copied.
This will reduce the level of competition in that industry as it will give the new firm a monopoly over the goods or services produced from the patent.