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Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

reuters.com

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Re: Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

#31

Post by sitkack »

ramsj wrote: post #2

Statement from Eddy Cue: "If this Court prohibits Google from sharing revenue for search distribution, Apple would have two unacceptable choices. It could still let users in the United States choose Google as a search engine for Safari, but Apple could not receive any share of the resulting revenue, so Google would obtain valuable access to Apple's users at no cost. Or Apple could remove Google Search as a choice on…

If we don't collude in this way, we are both leaving money on the table. We must do this.

Re: Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

#32

Post by sitkack »

BadHumans wrote: post #25
ramsj wrote: post #2

Statement from Eddy Cue: "If this Court prohibits Google from sharing revenue for search distribution, Apple would have two unacceptable choices. It could still let users in the United States choose Google as a search engine for Safari, but Apple could not receive any share of the resulting revenue, so Google would obtain valuable access to Apple's users at no cost. Or Apple could remove Google Search as a choice on…

What's the problem with option 1? Users have a choice on what to pick, they pick Google because they prefer Google. Is users having choice foreign to Apple?

Apple should be able to make a large amount of profit of that user's choice. Choice isn't free!

Re: Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

#34

Post by from-nibly »

ramsj wrote: post #2

Statement from Eddy Cue: "If this Court prohibits Google from sharing revenue for search distribution, Apple would have two unacceptable choices. It could still let users in the United States choose Google as a search engine for Safari, but Apple could not receive any share of the resulting revenue, so Google would obtain valuable access to Apple's users at no cost. Or Apple could remove Google Search as a choice on…

My neighbor has access to have a conversation with me. Should he be paying Apple since I use a Mac?

Re: Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

#35

Post by rubyfan »

elashri wrote: post #30
rubyfan wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They might argue they provide Safari for free and as part of their business model earn a fee for referring users to the preferred search engine vs something substandard. This is a very common business model on just about every web publisher today.

I am pretty sure that if Apple lawyers to present this argument. Then DOJ will find it a gift when they file a monopoly case around apple monopolistic position and restrictions of non-Safari/Webkit based browsers (probably app store too). Because this will make it harder for Apple to present the case about security or privacy of the users if they just said before in a court that they do this as part of their business…

Defaulting the search to Google in Safari in no way impairs the users ability to choose an alternative search engine. Apple have always left the search setting changeable, for a long time have allowed 3rd party browsers and have allowed other browsers to be the default system browser. This is hardly a monopoly and it’s no secret that Google is paying them gobs of money to be the default. It’s a separate issue from their appstore business entirely where security and privacy are legitimate arguments for the control they exert on that business.

Re: Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

#36

Post by rubyfan »

ladon86 wrote: post #19
rubyfan wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing is stopping those Google users from installing Chrome.

The DoJ is forcing Google to sell Chrome, so that won’t necessarily use Google search either.

Sure maybe, but that depends the DOJ’s actions. Also depends on the buyer, the search engine alternatives, whether DOJ allow Google to pay to be the default, etc.

Re: Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

#37

Post by drivingmenuts »

There's not much there to disagree with. It's pretty clear that Apple thinks they'd lose more than they'd gain by having their own search service. As it is, they don't have to do anything except sign some documents and set a default URL and they make $20 Billion.

I wish my life was that uncomplicated.

Re: Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

#38

Post by lazide »

arghwhat wrote: post #23
lazide wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They’re complaining they would lose billions, while it helps no one. Wouldn’t you complain too?

Sure, but it would be for deaf ears. Losing revenue is not an issue or argument - it's not like Apple would be unable to operate.

When we’re talking billions of dollars, things are never that simple.

Re: Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

#39

Post by lazide »

lazide wrote: post #38
arghwhat wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, but it would be for deaf ears. Losing revenue is not an issue or argument - it's not like Apple would be unable to operate.

When we’re talking billions of dollars, things are never that simple.

A example - the current average lifetime earnings for an American (aka total money earned over their lifetime) is $1.8mln USD for men, and $1.1mln USD for women. That provides for everything for them - raising a family (on average), a retirement, expenses of living 60-80 years, supporting all the joy, pain, love and loss of a lifetime. And paying for the total economic work of that average American for at least 40 years - a lifetime of plumbing, welding, repair work, hairdressing, stocking shelves, managing people - you name it.

Apple is receiving (last I checked) $20 billion USD/yr from Google for this.

That is the money required to support an entire lifetime of living for between 11,000 to 18,000 average Americans. Every year.

Alternatively, at the median American salary of $59,634, that is also enough money to employ 333,000+ average Americans for that year.

How much fighting do you think would be appropriate for that? Probably a least a couple of lawyers and lobbyists working full time on it, eh?

Re: Apple seeks to defend Google's billion-dollar payments in search case

#40

Post by jncfhnb »

1123581321 wrote: post #20
jncfhnb wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hope Eddy Cue, SVP of Apple Services, gets to explain that quote in antitrust testimony at some point when he has to explain how Apple’s policy doesn’t assume ownership of users.

Wouldn’t it work to his advantage? A key defense in such a trial would be distinguishing between restricting (owning) users and setting defaults.

And the quote suggests the former
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