1673/7/7/24 Professor Barry Rodger v (1) Alphabet Inc; (2) Google LLC; (3) Google Ireland Limited; (4) Google Asia Pacific Pte Limited; (5) Google Commerce Limited; (6) Google Payment Limited; and (7) Google UK Limited
Application by Professor Barry Rodger under section 47B of the Competition Act 1998 against (1) Alphabet Inc; (2) Google LLC; (3) Google Ireland Limited; (4) Google Asia Pacific Pte Limited; (5) Google Commerce Limited; (6) Google Payment Limited; and (7) Google UK Limited. The proceedings concern alleged abusive conduct by companies in the Google group in the Android app distribution market and on the licensable smart mobile OS market. Professor Rodger alleges that Google has abused its dominance by: (1) engaging in various forms of exclusionary conduct which prevent others from competing in the provision of distribution services to Android app developers; and (2) charging prices (in the form of the commission charged on purchases of apps and of additional content or subscriptions within those apps) that are both excessive and unfair in their own right and unfair and abusive as a system of pricing.
A case management conference ("CMC") took place on 20 December 2024 following which the Chair gave directions for the conduct of the proceedings.
The hearing to consider the application for a collective proceedings order took place on 6 March 2025. The Tribunal stated at the conclusion of the hearing that the proceedings would be certified, with reasons to follow. The Tribunal's judgment is pending.
On 14 March 2025, a joint CMC took place to consider consolidation of these proceedings with the Epic Proceedings (Case 1378/5/7/20) and the Coll Proceedings (Case 1408/7/7/21). By Order dated 24 March 2025, the Tribunal ordered the joint case management of the proceedings. A reasoned ruling in relation to joint case management is pending.
A further joint CMC with these proceedings and the Epic and Coll Proceedings has been listed to take place on 1 May 2025.
