NCLAT Seeks Google’s Response On Pleas Against CCI Order

NCLAT Seeks Google’s Response On Pleas Against CCI Order
Photo: Deccan Herald 13.05.2024 1186

Indian start-ups  are trying to challenge the antitrust regulator's recent order denying them interim relief during the pendency of their plea challenging tech giant Google’s Play Store payment policies.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has sought responses from Google on startup’s plea against the Competition Commission of India (CCI)’s refusal to a stay on the Play Store billing policy.

The responses were sought by the watchdog on Friday (May 10) and listed the case for next hearing on May 24. 

The appeal was moved by Kuku FM,  Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) and Shaadi.com.

Shaadi.com’s founder and CEO Anupam Mittal commented on the matter:

“The courts and authorities appear to recognize that Google & other Big Tech gatekeepers will not be allowed to collect tolls from India’s entrepreneurs by abusing their monopolistic power. The future of our economy is at stake.”

In March, The Commision rejected start-ups’ interim relief application for complete restraint on Google from collection of its fees under tech giant’s updated payments policy.  

Start-ups had alleged that Google Play Store’s payment policies were discriminatory in nature and opposed the excessive fees/commission (up to 26 per cent) levied on the app developers by the tech giant for download of apps and in-app purchases of users. 

Start-ups contended that Google had violated CCI’s earlier October 25, 2022 order asking the tech giant not to restrict app developers from using third party billing or payment processing services to purchase apps for in-app purchases on Google Play.

Back then, CCI stated that complainants — People Interactive India Private Limited (operator of Shaadi.com and Sangam.com), Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF) and Mebigo Labs Private Limited (owner of Kuku FM) — did not fulfil the necessary criteria for interim relief as outlined by the Supreme Court.

Consequently, Google was left free to delist the apps of the startups involved from Play Store in case of non-compliance with the payments policies. 

Source: Inc42

digital markets  India 

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