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>> That is, saying that customers /could/ switch is not necessarily relevant On the contrary, it’s the whole ballgame in a case like this. Google’s claim will
by huitzitziltzin 3y ago
>> That is, saying that customers /could/ switch is not necessarily relevant
On the contrary, it’s the whole ballgame in a case like this. Google’s claim will be: “we have high market share because our product is good. Look - customers could switch for free if they didn’t like it.” The government cannot make a monopolization claim solely on the basis of high market share in this case. It’s not remotely persuasive. (Indeed: who do you do your searches with??)
>> “there is evidence…”
Totally agree with this sentence. But it’s not going to be decisive for the government. It will not be remotely sufficient. Again - it’s not clear to me personally that this behavior is pro-competitive. But I’ve already told you what google is going to say. If you’re going to argue monopolization you have to define the market (here search) and then show it’s monopolized. Market share isn’t enough.
>> could see it more as collusion…
Not legally. Sorry. Not without some specific evidence of a conspiracy.
- taeric 3y agoAll it takes is an email between Apple and Google saying they want to keep prices high for conspiracy. Isn't above them, either. Certainly inline with past of apple. Seems more a complaint against them, I grant. The discovery is what could kill Google, here. They will argue customers could switch, but any negotiations with apple to stay default are discoverable. If any of them note they fear losing share, that is pretty damning. Note I fully agree with you on difficulty of position. But you don't pay billions for status that you think you earn on your merits. Especially if you then charge other players to be top search spot for their own name.