This is a rundown of last week’s news updates on Antitrust:
Competition Commission of India to investigate Apple Inc. for in-app purchase system
In a suit filed by a non-profit group, the competition regulator CCI will investigate tech giant Apple for allegations of abuse of its dominant position for imposing its proprietary in-app purchase system on developers, which involved a 30% commission levied for distribution of paid digital content and other restrictions. The information, which is a submission alleging anticompetitive behaviour, also alleges that the 30% commission constitutes a barrier to entry for developers. These allegations are comparable to the ones that the European Union is currently investigating, and appears to be piggybacking the issues in the EU investigation.
Google appeals €500 million fine by French Competition Authority
The French Competition Authority had imposed a €500 million fine on search giant Google for failing to comply with its orders over conducting talks with publishers in a copyright dispute for not paying local media for news content. Google France argues that it differs with the order on a number of legal elements, and believes that the fine is disproportionate. The French Competition Authority states however that Google will still have to pay the fine regardless of the ruling by Paris’ court of appeal.
Google facing second lawsuit by US Department of Justice over antitrust allegations against ad-tech business
The US DOJ is preparing to file another lawsuit against Google’s advertising business on the grounds that Google is abusing its dominance. The allegations contend that Google reached an agreement with Facebook to manipulate online auctions where ad space is bought and sold. Google disputes the same, however, stating that the industry is crowded with other publishers like Amazon Inc., Comcast Corp. and Facebook. Competitors otherwise allege that Google leverages its vast network to benefit other areas and undercut rivals.
Authored by Rohan Joshua Jacob (Associate).
About BananaIP Counsels Trademark Attorneys
This Antitrust News Bulletin is brought to you by the Trademark/Copyright, and IP Transactional Strategy Divisions of BananaIP Counsels, a Top ranked IP Firm in India. Led by Sanjeeth Hegde, BananaIP Counsels’ trademark attorneys are among the leading experts in the field. If you have any questions, or need any clarifications, please write to contact@bananaip.com with the subject: Antitrust News.
The weekly intellectual property law news initiative is a part of their pro bono work and is aimed at spreading awareness about intellectual property and allied laws. You are free to share the news with appropriate attribution and link back to the source.
Disclaimer:
Kindly note that the news bulletin has been put together from different sources, primary and secondary, and BananaIP’s reporters may not have verified all the news published in the bulletin. You may write to contact@bananaip.com for corrections and take down.
