Google in the hot seat again as Microsoft, Nokia, and Oracle file new antitrust complaint with the EU

April 9, 2013

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Google_Antitrust_Comlaint_Nokia_Microsoft_EU

Looks like Google might be in the hot seat again because competitors filed a new antitrust complaint against them in the EU alleging that the Android OS gives an unfair advantage for Google apps. The complaint was filed by Fairsearch Europe, which consists Microsoft, Nokia, and Oracle. Lead lawyer for Fairsearch said that Google is using Android “as a deceptive way to build advantages for key Google apps in 70 percent of the smartphones shipped today,” He is referring to the fact that Android OEM's have a contractual obligation to place Google-branded apps such as Maps, YouTube, and Drive in “prominent default placement on the phone.”

I guess if anyone is an expert with this kind of complaint, it's Microsoft since they were already a victim for similar occurrences. Back in 2004, they were fined €497 million (or $600 million) for bundling Windows Media Player with its operating system. Then they failed to bundle competing web browsers with Windows 7 Service Pack 1, which cost them the €561 million (or $732 million).

No comments to this new case specifically, but Google spokesman Al Verney said the company continues “to work cooperatively” with the commission.

sources: NY Times / Fairsearch Europe (PDF)
via: TheVerge

Robert Nazarian Author

Robert lives in upstate New York where he was born and raised. Technology was always his passion. His first computer was a Radio Shack TRS80 Color that used a cassette tape to save programs, and his first laptop was a Toshiba T1200FB that sported a CGA greyscale screen and two 720kb floppy drives (no hardrive). From the early 90’s through late 2011, he only owned Motorola phones starting with the MircroTAC all the way through to the Droid X. He broke that streak when he bought the Galaxy Nexus. Now he's sporting a Galaxy Note 4, and absolutely loves it. He has a wonderful wife and a 6 year old son. In his free time he enjoys sports, movies, TV, working out, and trying to keep up with the rapid fast world of technology.

4 comments

kurt hinds says:

April 9, 2013 at 7:43 PM

It’s a free os! Msoft and cronies are not! No wonder they wanna go after Google! They not getting to take consumers money as easy! When you can’t beat them sue them!

Reply
Bradley Baustert says:

April 9, 2013 at 11:52 AM

“He is referring to the fact that Android OEM’s have a contractual obligation to place Google-branded apps such as Maps, YouTube, and Drive in “prominent default placement on the phone.””

If this is true, then why is Amazon able to replace all the Google Apps with their own? Not only as default but they remove most of the apps entirely. Hell, Bing is even the default search engine. And it’s not just Amazon either, Verizon got several OEM’s to replace Google search with Bing on Android phones.

What Google is doing with Android is simply nothing like what got Microsoft into trouble.

Reply
1. Nudo says:
  
  April 9, 2013 at 1:47 PM
  
  I’m completely unaware of such an “obligation”
  
  From my understanding, Android is a Free and Open Source OS, that anyone can take and manipulate in any way they like, and then sell.
  
  As you’ve mentioned, the Kindle Fire devices run Android, yet have ZERO Google apps integration. I can’t wait for all the gory details of this one!
  
  Reply
2. Zomby2D says:
  
  April 9, 2013 at 4:55 PM
  
  The only obligation from Google that I’m aware of is that OEM must comply to certain compatibility standards to be allowed to include Google apps.
  
  Reply