Google Proposes Restrictions on Licensing Practices to Address Antitrust Concerns
In response to the US Department of Justice’s call to break up Google, the company has proposed an alternative solution. Google suggests that, instead of selling its Chrome browser, the court should prohibit the company from requiring favorable treatment of its software as a condition for licensing popular apps like Chrome, Play, or Gemini. This would prevent Google from leveraging its dominant position in the mobile market to force device manufacturers to pre-install its search engine or make it the default.
The US government’s push to break up Google marks a significant shift in antitrust enforcement, mirroring the unsuccessful attempt to break up Microsoft two decades ago. However, the outcome of this case remains uncertain. Google is likely to appeal Judge Mehta’s ruling, potentially leading to years of legal battles. Furthermore, the incoming Trump administration could significantly impact the case’s trajectory by appointing new leadership to the Justice Department’s antitrust division. This new leadership could choose to continue the case, negotiate a settlement, or abandon the lawsuit entirely.
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