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Google confirms it will appeal $5 billion EU antitrust fine
Google has confirmed the expected, that it will indeed appeal the record $5 billion fine that it was handed today by European antitrust regulators for abusing the dominance of its Android operating system.
The European Commission announced that it is fining the U.S. firm for "three types of restrictions that [it] has imposed on Android device manufacturers and network operators to ensure that traffic on Android devices goes to the Google search engine." [...] In particular, the EC has decided that Google:
- Has required manufacturers to pre-install the Google Search app and browser app (Chrome), as a condition for licensing Google's app store (the Play Store);
- Made payments to certain large manufacturers and mobile network operators on condition that they exclusively pre-installed the Google Search app on their devices
- And has prevented manufacturers wishing to pre-install Google apps from selling even a single smart mobile device running on alternative versions of Android that were not approved by Google (so-called "Android forks").
The decision also concludes that Google is dominant in the markets for general internet search service, licensable smart mobile operating systems, and app stores for the Android mobile operating system.
In a more detailed blog post, Google doubled down on its position to argue that Android has helped bring choice to the market by enabling 1,300 different companies to develop 24,000 smartphones, and bringing over one million apps to users.
Previously: Report: Feds Investigating if Google's Android Violates Antitrust Rules
EU vs. Google: Android Antitrust
EU's Leaked Plan to Punish Google for Antitrust Violations
Google's Next EU Fine Could be Even Bigger for Android Violations
(Score: 5, Interesting) by Arik on Wednesday July 18 2018, @05:18PM (4 children)
The more I've watched these things unfold the more I think slapping the wrist and trimming the boundaries will never solve the problem. So even though it's tempting to take heart when something like this happens, this ultimately is far too little to help. It's necessary to strike the root. And the root of this monopoly, just like Microsoft's monopoly, is the misapplication of copyright to software. Until that gets straightened out I'm afraid we're just shuffling deck chairs on the titanic.
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday July 18 2018, @09:17PM (1 child)
What would you propose instead?
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 5, Interesting) by Arik on Wednesday July 18 2018, @11:46PM
So for example, copyright applies to source-code. If you want copyright you publish source. If you don't want to publish source, you should use trade secret protection instead.
EULAs should be laughed out of court. A license is a grant of permission to use source code. If you're only getting binaries you don't need any license, anymore than you need a license to read the book you bought.
These are examples where the straightforward application of well-established rules that worked well was avoided, because too few of us understood the tech and too many judges did not, and unscrupulous lawyers have made billions off it. So just because it was 'on a computer' suddenly everything is different and all you have to do is sweet talk the judge to see it your way and suddenly YOU OWN MATH.
Software patents are a whole different thicket, but they'd both have to come down to give healthy growth a chance again.
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
(Score: 2) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Wednesday July 18 2018, @11:24PM
From TFA:
That's BIG bikkies (gross turnover, not profit).
It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.
(Score: 2) by Mykl on Thursday July 19 2018, @01:13AM
This is so like Microsoft's old tactics, I'd be surprised if Sergey, Larry and Bill weren't golfing buddies (they leave Steve Ballmer behind - he tends to throw the clubs too much).