Nokia and Microsoft: Sometimes, it takes more than one person (or company) to bring down a giant. This is the theory that Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) are using in their fight against Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG).
The two companies, along with the backing of Expedia, have filed an antitrust complaint against Google.
According to a report by Bloomberg, these three companies are doing so “as part of a campaign to force the European Union to fine or alter the conduct of the owner of the world’s largest search engine.”
FairSearch, a group of 17 technology and search companies, is hoping the EU will take a stronger look at what it calls a “deceptive conduct to lockout competition.”
The Bloomberg piece goes on to quote Thomas Vinje, an attorney for the FairSearch industry group. Here is what he had to say:
“Google is using its Android mobile operating system as a ‘Trojan Horse’ to deceive partners, monopolize the mobile marketplace, and control consumer data. Failure to act will only embolden Google to repeat its desktop abuses of dominance as consumers increasingly turn to a mobile platform dominated by Google’s Android.”
Is Dominance a Bad Thing?
While it is easy to see where Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK), and the other companies in FairSearch are coming from, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) does not believe it is doing anything wrong.
Earlier this year, the United States brought its investigation into Google to an end. The country found no evidence that actions taken by the search engine company were harming consumers.
EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia is taking a strong look at all the information that has been presented. Last year, according to the piece, he “asked Google to give him a detailed offer to address allegations that it copies rivals’ travel and restaurant reviews, and has agreements with websites and software developers that stifle competition in the advertising industry.”
In other words, nobody can accuse the EU of not taking these claims seriously.
At this point, here is the main question that needs to be answered: do Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT, along with other tech companies, have a legitimate beef or do they simply need to change their strategy to better compete with Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)?
What are your thoughts? Share your opinion in the comment section below.
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DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.
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