Apple exec Eddy Cue témoigne du procès Google sur l’accord de recherche de 19 milliards de dollars
Google accused of monopolizing online search through licensing agreements: what Apple VP Eddy Cue and the trial could reveal
Apple’s Senior VP to Testify in Google Monopoly Trial
Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President of Services at Apple Inc., is set to testify in a federal court case where the U.S. Department of Justice is accusing Google of monopolizing online search through licensing agreements. The focus of the trial is on the deal between Google and Apple, where Google pays Apple billions of dollars to be the default search engine on the iPhone’s browser and other settings. Cue, who negotiated the deal from Apple’s side, is expected to testify that Apple chose Google as the default search engine because it was the best product available.
The Behind-the-Scenes Deal Between Apple and Google
The trial offers a rare glimpse into one of the most significant deals in the tech industry, which has remained largely secretive for years. Estimates suggest that Google pays Apple up to $19 billion annually for default placement, making it one of Google’s highest costs. In return, the advertising revenue that Apple collects from Google is a significant part of Apple’s profits. Apple reports this as advertising revenue in its services business, contributing to its $78.1 billion in sales in fiscal year 2022.
Cue’s expected testimony could shed light on the terms of the agreement and the reasoning behind Apple’s decision to choose Google as the default search engine. He is also likely to mention that Apple has revenue-sharing agreements with competing search engines, including Yahoo, Microsoft Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia. Furthermore, it is anticipated that Cue will emphasize that Apple users have the option to change their default search engines, debunking claims of a monopoly.
The Importance of the Trial
The Google trial, expected to last 10 weeks, is the most significant technology monopoly case since the Department of Justice’s action against Microsoft over two decades ago. The DOJ alleges that Google violates anti-monopoly laws through exclusive agreements with mobile phone makers for its Android operating system and browser companies for default placement. According to the government, these deals create barriers to entry for competing search engines.
The testimony and financial documents presented during Cue’s testimony could potentially bring additional insights. However, much of this information might remain sealed and unavailable to the public. Last week, Apple’s John Giannandrea, who previously worked at Google on its search engine, testified in a portion of the trial that was unsealed.
The trial will unfold over the next few weeks, with the DOJ, a coalition of attorneys general, and finally Google presenting their cases. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is also expected to testify.
Source : www.cnbc.com
