Author: 21st Century Competition

Germany: Top official wants Google breakup (Competition Policy International)

A top Germany official is urging consideration of a forced breakup of Google because its market dominance is so strong, according to reports.

Germany economy minister and vice chancellor Sigmar Gabriel says a breakup “must be seriously considered,” though reports note that his remarks are unlikely to lead to action because …read more

US: AT&T officially announces DirecTV acquisition plan (Competition Policy International)

Wireless giant AT&T has officially announced plans to acquire cable operator DirecTV following insider rumors the company would announce the deal late Sunday.

According to a report from Buzzfeed, a source told reporters that “the deal is done” and that senior DirecTV executives have already been notified of the plans. Earlier …read more

Japan: Apple scores another patent win against Samsung (Competition Policy International)

A Japanese court has reportedly ruled against South Korean smartphone maker Samsung, finding that the company did unfairly demand excessive royalties to license its essential patents to Apple.

According to reports, The Tokyo District Court found Samsung used its standard essential patents regarding the 3GPP mobile standard as leverage to receive …read more

US: Ousted Clippers owner hires antitrust lawyer (Competition Policy International)

Reports say ousted Clippers basketball team owner Donald Sterling, who was banned for life from the NBA following leaked audio of his racist remarks, will not exit the scene quietly and has hired a famed antitrust lawyer to possibly sue the NBA over a forced sale of the team.

Sterling has …read more