Topics Covered: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Google to face antitrust case in India:
Context:
Google is facing a new antitrust case in India. It is alleged to have abused its Android operating system’s position in the smart television market.
- The case is Google’s fourth major antitrust challenge in India.
- Besides, Google is also facing antitrust challenges in the U.S., and a potential antitrust probe in China.
What are anti-trust laws?
- Also referred to as competition laws.
- They are developed to protect consumers from predatory business practices.
- They ensure that fair competition exists in an open-market economy.
- They guard against would-be monopolies and disruptions to the productive ebb and flow of competition.
India’s Anti-Trust Regulation Framework:
The Competition Act, 2002 is India’s antitrust law. It replaced the Monopolistic and Restrictive Trade Practices Act of 1969.
- The Act prohibits: anti-competitive agreements; abuse of dominant position by enterprises; and regulates combinations (Mergers and Acquisition), which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.
- Under the provisions of this act, the central government has established Competition Commission of India in 2003 which acts as a watchdog of free market economy.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- About CCI.
- Various institution established under Competition Act, 2002.
Sources: the Hindu.