Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by frereubu 501 days ago
As far as I understand it, this is specifically to do with the bundling of Google search in Apple devices. Still big but not a ban on any contracts between them.
1 comments

From https://www.bloomberglaw.com/public/desktop/document/UNITEDS... the proposed restriction seems to be:

> “Google must not offer or provide anything of value to Apple—or offer any commercial terms—that in any way creates an economic disincentive to compete in or enter the GSE or Search Text Ad markets,”

That's a very broad statement that could easily be interpreted to cover more than just the default-search-provider agreement.

True - hadn't spotted the bit about the Search Text Ad bit either.
It's pretty consistent with what the law actually says. Here's the Sherman Act:

> Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is hereby declared to be illegal.

> Every person who shall monopolize, or attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other per- son or persons, to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, shall be deemed guilty of a felony

It's very under-enforced, but that's what it says.