Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS), a non profit consumer advocacy group, has filed a Preliminary Information Report with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), urging the agency to investigate "the potential anticompetitive conduct of Google in the Indian internet, e-commerce market, online advertising and related markets." This follows a recent complaint with the CCI to look into the retailing of Apple's iPad and iPhone, and the limiting of downloads to the iStore, according to a report in The Times of India. In the PIR, a copy of which you can download here, CUTS makes the following points: 1. Google has been under investigation from antitrust authorities: the PIR cites four kinds of activities which are also relevant to India: its core business of Internet search and advertising (cases brought by European Union and the Attorney General of the State of Texas and the very recent review started in June, 2011 by the FTC); acquisitions of Doubleclick, ITA (both cleared), Admob and Motorola; (c) Unfair business practices, trademark and patent infringement (Skyhook), and; (d) FTC's investigation of Android 2. Google is under investigation in the EU, and three issues are being looked at: - Whether Google has manipulated its unpaid or Algorithmic search results to penalize Google competitors or promote Google products? - Whether Google forced exclusivity contracts with advertising partners? The allegation is that Google bars the placement of ads from competing companies on a partner website - The portability restrictions of online advertising campaign data. Does Google restrict…
