Google in Russia: First No Space Ship Ride, Now No Anti Monopoly Win

March 21, 2016

In 2008, I learned that Sergey Brin would take a ride on the first private Soyuz flight to the International Space Station. The cost? $5 million, according to “Google Co-Founder Slated as Next Space Tourist.” The dream was still alive in 2014 according to “After Sarah Brightman, Will Sergey Brin Fly to the International Space Station?” The ride seems to be moving at a snail’s pace even though Russia seems to be dragging its feet. In 12009, NBC News reported “Russia: No More Space Tourists after 2009.”

Despite the slow down for Mr. Brin’s ride, the Russia courts are zipping right along. I learned that “Google Loses Anti Monopoly Appeal in Russia over Obligatory Pre Installation of Android Apps.” According to the article:

The Moscow Arbitration court has upheld a previous ruling from the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) that found Google had abused its dominant market position and broken anti-competition legislation. The crux of the complaint was that Google hindered the ability to create competing services on Android by forcing manufacturers to bundle some Google apps, including Gmail, Google Search, and Google Play, on the phones.

Google appears to be encountering friction in a number of nation states. Some officials are not reacting in a positive manner to Google’s business initiatives. Space ride slow, court decisions fast. An interesting inversion.

Stephen E Arnold, March 21, 2016

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