Skyhook sues Google over unfair practices
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Motorola had apparently already agreed (contractually) to use Skyhook's services, but Google then told Motorola that if they were going to use the Android platform, they would have to also use Google's location services. Skyhook is estimating their financial loss in the tens of millions.
This might not be a reasonable complaint, particularly as Google's Android OS is supposedly an open platform. "Though Google claims the Android OS is open source...Google is effectively creating a closed system with respect to location positioning," the complaint stated.
We aren't attorneys, but Google might argue that their concern was not for their profits, but for the compatibility with Android. In this case, Google was only protecting their OS as a whole by 'suggesting' that Motorola use a proven combination.
source: The Wall Street Journal via PhoneScoop
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5 Comments
2. messiah posted on 17 Sep 2010, 00:01 0
Skyhooks issue is with motorola for breaking a contract; not google for being appealing. Unfair is when you are left out of the reindeer games, and even though skyhook had an agreement, which is the case here with SH, motorola should fork over breach of contract subsidies. Just saying is all. because there is NO case against google, as far a what is reported here in this article.
3. 2lazy2login (unregistered) posted on 17 Sep 2010, 00:11 0
Jesus/Muhammad/Gabriel, You couldn't be more right. Verizon did a similar thing when they took MS's bid for search on their network, and since android-mania struck Bing has been getting the short end of the stick there, enter the GalaxyS/Fasciniate with BING preinstalled as default. It keeps the contract in line. Moto could ahve put the Skyhook app on each device.. doesn't mean we have to use it, just that it is there. Granted i don't agree with VZW making Google Search obsolete on Google's operating system, but they found a way to keep the contract intact, bing should just be an alternate choice... I downloaded the Android BING app, and honestly it works great, I just like to have options and do not like being forced to do anything.
4. messiah posted on 17 Sep 2010, 00:17 0
Pretty sure google's first Words in court will be: "what, I'm sorry, did we he a deal with you, skyf*ck? No? And WE owe You money why? If you wife leaves You for another guy... that other guy isn't responsible to pay the child support.... Skyhook are a bunch of whinning babies.... live with the times.... typewriter ribbon manufacturers didn't freak and sue over floppy disk development. ....
5. zerovampire311 posted on 17 Sep 2010, 14:29 0
I'm sure Motorola would be more than willing to put Skyhook's services on their devices, just have it as an available, deletable app! Because who's going to choose the more expensive, inferior product? Who knows, but then at least they can't complain when they don't make any money.
