Competitors take issue with Google's licensing terms for Android
Google and Android are once again the target of an antitrust investigation by the European Commission, this time because of allegations that Google used anticompetitive tactics to expand its mobile market share. While it is only an informal probe at this point, the EC is investigating claims from Google's competitors -- such as Microsoft and Nokia -- that it licenses Android to manufacturers below cost, giving it an unfair advantage. The allegations continue, stating that Google also makes demands of its licensees that they give specific placement to Google's other apps, such as Youtube, and not allow them to use other services, which again gives it unfair advantage.
Google makes Android open-source and licenses it to manufacturers for free, and while that may seem like a way to be absolved of any wrongdoing its competitors see it as a great example of Google's anticompetitive tactics. On the surface it seems like simple differences in business plans rather than blatant anticompetitive behavior, but that's up to the EC to decide. Specifics of the probe aren't yet known, but it wouldn't be surprising to see this informal probe expand into a full investigation of the company's tactics.
Source: Financial Times; Via: AllThingsD
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/AbGEP08nKI4/story01.htm
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