Google offers to settle anti-trust case in smart TV probe
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Google has offered to settle an anti-trust case after an investigation found the technology giant's agreements with smart TV makers violated provisions of India's competition law, two people aware of the development said, making it the first company to invoke the brand-new settlement route. The settlement scheme was introduced in India's competition law last year, and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) issued regulations on the same in March.
The scheme offers a 15% discount on the base penalty amount as determined by CCI to companies found to have engaged in anti-competitiveconduct. Google’s application comes after the Director General of Investigation (DG) attached to the CCI confirmed charges of anti-competitive behaviour by the tech giant in a recent report to the anti-trust watchdog, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. “Google has become the first applicant under the commitment and settlement scheme pursuant to CCI issuing regulations in this regard," one of the two people said.
The CCI had ordered a probe in June 2021 after two individuals accused Google LLC and Google India Pvt. Ltd of violating provisions of competition law. The DG's investigation found Google had breached provisions barring anti-competitive agreements and abuse of market dominance in the Android TV market, one of the two people cited above said.
“CCI is looking into the plea for settlement. It is still in the process," the second person added. Also read | Anti-trust case: CCI asks Amazon, Flipkart to share financials to decide penalty Under the commitment and settlement schemes introduced in the amended law, companies suspected of violations can make voluntary commitments to
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