Jets as a source for the observed increase in theγpcross section

It is suggested that the dominant contribution to the observed increase in the $\gamma p$ cross section of 2 to 6 $\mu \mathrm{b}$ over the expectations of vector-meson dominance arises from the production of high-transverse-momentum jets and not charm as has been widely interpreted. The cross section for the production of three jets, one along the collision axis and two with high $p_t$, satisfactorily accounts for the deviation from $\rho$, $\omega$, $\phi$ contributions. The charm component is found to be only a small fraction of the observed increase.