Exploring Landmark Competition Law Cases for CS Executive Aspirants

latest and significant Competition Law cases along with brief details:

1. Google’s Anti-Competitive Practices (Android & Play Store Cases)

• Case: CCI vs. Google (2023–2024)

• Details:

  • The Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed penalties on Google for abusing its dominant position in the Android ecosystem (₹1,337.76 crore) and Play Store policies (₹936.44 crore).

  • Google was found guilty of forcing OEMs to pre-install Google apps (tying arrangement) and imposing unfair conditions on app developers regarding Play Store billing.

  • Google has challenged these orders before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and Supreme Court, but largely lost.

2. MakeMyTrip-Goibibo & OYO Anti-Competitive Agreement

• Case: FHRAI vs. MakeMyTrip-Goibibo & OYO (2023)

• Details:

  • CCI found MakeMyTrip (MMT) and Goibibo guilty of anti-competitive agreements with OYO, leading to delisting of rival hotels.

  • A penalty of ₹392 crore was imposed on MMT-Goibibo and ₹90 crore on OYO for deep discounting and exclusionary practices.

3. Maruti Suzuki’s Discount Control Policy

• Case: Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) vs. Maruti Suzuki (2023))

• Details:

  • CCI held that Maruti Suzuki’s policy restricting dealers from offering additional discountswas anti-competitive.

  • The company was fined ₹200 crore for resale price maintenance (RPM) under Section 3(4) of the Competition Act, 2002.

4. WhatsApp Privacy Policy Update (Meta Case)

• Case: CCI vs. WhatsApp (Meta) (2023–2024)

• Details:

  • CCI imposed a ₹1,842 crore penalty on Google (in a separate case) and also investigated WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy for abuse of dominance.

  • The case revolves around forcing users to accept data-sharing with Facebook, allegedly violating Section 4 of the Competition Act.

5. Zomato & Swiggy’s Alleged Anti-Competitive Practices

• Case: National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) vs. Zomato & Swiggy (2023)

• Details:

  • CCI investigated platform neutrality, deep discounting, and exclusivity clauses imposed by food delivery apps.

  • Though no penalty was imposed yet, CCI directed transparency in algorithms and no unfair restaurant delisting.

6. Cement Cartelization Case (2023)

• Case: CCI vs. Ultratech, Ambuja, ACC, etc. (2023)

• Details:

  • CCI imposed penalties worth ₹6,300 crore on major cement companies for cartelization and price manipulation.

  • Evidence showed collusion in production cuts and price hikes in violation of Section 3(3) of the Competition Act.

7. Apple’s App Store Policies Under Scrutiny

• Case: CCI Investigation into Apple’s App Store (Ongoing, 2024)

• Details:

• CCI is probing Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases and restrictions on alternative payment systems.

• Similar to Google’s case, this could lead to penalties if found anti-competitive.

  
  

  8. Apple’s App Store Policies Under Scrutiny

• Brief: CCI examined the relationship between Amazon and its preferred seller Cloudtail, amid allegations of creating barriers for other sellers.

• Update: In 2024, CCI closed the case after Amazon stopped working with Cloudtail, ending their joint venture.

• Key Point: Abuse of dominance and anti-competitive preferential treatment..

9. Merger Control: Reliance-Viacom18 & JioCinema

• Brief: CCI reviewed the merger between Viacom18 (Reliance-backed) and JioCinema.

• Decision: CCI approved the deal in 2024, noting no significant adverse impact on competition.

• Relevance: Increasing attention on competition in the digital streaming sector.