Federal Trade Commission clears Google in antitrust investigation
Share:
The investigation took almost two years, and now Google is in a position to continue along its current model to strengthen its dominance in the realm of internet searches. This is a big win for Google since it is spared of the expense that Microsoft endured during the 1990s over its antitrust cases involving Internet Explorer. Microsoft has been on the proverbial “Speaker’s Corner” at every opportunity to point out that Google has been abusing its course, bolstering a monopolistic position to keep its competitors under its boot. Naturally, this decision by the FTC makes Google’s competitors a bit worried about losing ground in their respective markets and products.
The FTC panel, made up of five members, voted unanimously to close the investigation without brining any charges against Google. This, despite concerned raised by some members even though they voted not to do anything. Even Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the FTC noted that “not everything Google did was beneficial, on balance we did not believe that the evidence supported an FTC charge to this aspect of Google’s business under American law.” Some panel members did argue for sanctions against Google.
For its part, Google has committed to make some minor changes related to advertising in its search practices. The FTC can enforce those changes if Google violates the agreement, but litigation by the FTC against Google is not an option under that agreement.
Of course, Google competitors (like Microsoft) that form Fairsearch.org will not stand by, and point out that the FTC took itself out of the game while the European Union is still investigating, and state attorneys general may still investigate Google. Fairsearch.org termed the decision as "inaction" that will embolden Google.
Part of this investigation also involved Google’s business practices and its use of patents in cellphone technology, including the Android operating system. The commission did find that Google did not meet its FRAND commitments and in fact threatened to pursue injunctions against companies that wanted to use patents, particularly those acquired with Motorola Mobility. The FTC ordered Google to make that technology available to rivals, where competition is needed on smartphones, tablets and consoles. Google agreed to allow access to patents on “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms (FRAND)…on critical standardized technologies needed to make popular devices…” As such, Google will not block rivals from using patents that are essential to key products and technologies.
That order will certainly hold potential benefits to manufacturers that use Android, or even competing platforms.
sources: The New York Times and FTC
Share:
Watch a case designed for the Apple iPhone 5 protect a device from a 100,000 
Image of Samsung Galaxy S IV leaks? 
-
Huawei Ascend D2 surprisingly scores as best 1080p LCD display, beats HTC One, Sony Xperia Z
-
HTC Butterfly S is announced
-
Alleged iPhone 5S display front pops up in high resolution
-
Exclusive: HTC One Mini will be coming to AT&T
-
Video of iOS 7 on iPad may show faster boot time
-
@DroidLanding comes back online, new DROID on the way?
11 Comments
1. XPERIA-KNIGHT posted on 04 Jan 2013, 02:30 13
OOPPS! looks like somebody was wrong about google.......haha Have a good night yall :)
o and by the way i didnt read the article......i just read the tittle :)
7. You.Have.To.Read.This posted on 04 Jan 2013, 03:22 6
Microsoft is the EVIL EMPIRE
This whole antitrust is brought to us by Microsoft ($$$$) through their so called grass root group
source:
readwrite.com/2013/01/03/googles-ftc-settlement-is-an-epic-fail-for-microsoft
10. Cynipap999 (banned) posted on 04 Jan 2013, 16:14 0
The article is irrelevant because they couldn't inject Apple into it.
And, you are right, 'somebody was wrong about google' but, aren't they always wrong?!!
6. You.Have.To.Read.This posted on 04 Jan 2013, 03:20 0
You need to read bellow article to understand this article
readwrite.com/2013/01/03/googles-ftc-settlement-is-an-epic-fail-for-microsoft
forbes.com/sites/rogerkay/2013/01/02/microsoft-is-fast-turning-into-a-sideshow/
3. darthinvader posted on 04 Jan 2013, 02:55 2
So Google aint supporting apps for Windows Phone 8, moreover, they wont allow Microsoft to make a decent Youtube app.. They just have a Search app I guess..
Google has just been acting Stupid (lately) and plz dont go gaga over #droidrage.. :P
9. MorePhonesThanNeeded posted on 04 Jan 2013, 11:35 1
Right, that makes no sense as there are hundreds of App creators making apps for all smartphone OS's, why does Google have to do anything for MS who is basically scalping Googles' partners on royalties. Not sure why you would think Google wouldn't support MS OS considering Google is a search provider and more OS means more searches. MS can't hack it in the smartphone arena because they did the usual crap and underestimated demand and here they are complaining about someone not playing fair, talk about Pot calling Kettle black!
5. someones4 posted on 04 Jan 2013, 03:06 5
Google did nothing wrong. How do you even make search results 'biased'? Are any of their competitor's results any better?
