Korean search engines fire anti-trust complaint at Google

Google has become a standby in news headlines over the years, though not always for the most noble reasons. The popular Internet search engine is under legal fire again, this time over alleged monopolizing practices.

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Two Korean search engine operators claim Google is engaging in anti-trust activities reports the New York Times.

The complaint, filed by NHN and Daum, says that Google is preventing Android-enabled smartphones from running their software. And since Google is the default option in such phones, the scorned search engine providers argue it's exceedingly difficult for them to compete on equal footing.

"Through a marketing partnership with major smartphone producers, Google has prohibited other market players from pre-installing their search window or related applications," read NHN's statement.

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Google sees it differently.

Lois Kim, a spokesperson for the company, told Bloomberg "Android is an open platform, and carriers and partners are free to decide which applications and services to include. We’re looking forward to working with the FTC to address any questions they may have."

Florian Mueller, an IP expert well-versed in past legal software disputes, doesn't buy Google's defense.

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"There can be no doubt that Google controls Android in a way that runs counter to its claims of openness, and that Google's business model is all about lock-in, just like the business models of other dominant companies," he said in a post at his blog FOSS Patents, adding "it would be naïve to believe otherwise."

Mueller admits he isn't up to snuff on Korean law, but points to a recent report from the Korea Herald that claims both NHN and Daum have been cited in the past for similar practices the pair now accuses Google of.

In February, Google faced a similar search engine squabble with Microsoft over the accusation it used click fraud to influence search results.  The two internet giants have long battled each other for marketshare -- something which will likely continue as Microsoft's Bing stretches its legs in the search portal space.

For those who've found great enjoyment following Google's myriad legal battles over the years, it seems nothing's changing in the foreseeable future.

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