Reports said that a bench comprising NCLAT chairperson Ashok Bhushan and member (technical) Alok Srivastava began the marathon hearing on Wednesday (February 15) and it will continue through Thursday (February 16).
Android contributed to industry’s growth: Google
Google contends that its Android, launched in 2007-08, has contributed to the growth of the mobile industry and competition. The counsel appearing for the tech giant said the operating system has been an exceptional success story. He added that the CCI has found fault with the ecosystem without any legal basis.
“Because of the pro-competitive policies of Google Android, we have a market with 1,100 OEMs globally and 15,000 models and it has led to millions of applications being developed,” he said.
Google also said that CCI relied on the EU’s stance and ignored the conditions of the Indian market. It also said that the CCI’s order failed to demonstrate how the Android ecosystem causes harm to equipment manufacturers in the Indian ecosystem.
CCI imposed fine
The CCI, in its order dated October 20, 2022, imposed a fine of Rs 1,337 crore on Google for abusing its dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem. It had also issued a cease-and-desist order against Google from indulging in anti-competitive practices.
Following the order, Google filed a plea with NCLAT, which had declined to give an interim stay. The tribunal also asked the company to pay 10% of the fine imposed by CCI.
The company then moved the Supreme Court and the apex court also declined to stay the CCI order. However, it directed the NCLAT to decide on Google’s appeal by March 31.
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