Judge deciding Google's fate in Epic case is antitrust veteran
The Hindu
The judge who could rewrite the future of Google’s app business is a competition law expert who once defended technology companies and other defendants in antitrust cases.
The judge who could rewrite the future of Google's app business is a competition law expert who once defended technology companies and other defendants in antitrust cases.
US District Judge James Donato in San Francisco will decide what changes to impose on Alphabet's Google Play store, after a jury on Monday agreed with "Fortnite" maker Epic Games that Google illegally barred competing Android app stores and forced developers to use its payment system for in-app transactions.
Donato, a 2014 Obama appointee, will consider arguments from both sides next month, when Epic is expected to propose ways to undo Google's alleged monopoly.
Donato said near the end of the month-long trial that there was "more than enough evidence" for jurors to rule for Epic.
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Google has denied wrongdoing and said it will appeal the verdict. Donato's decision on Google's penalties also will likely be tied up in appeals.
Donato declined an interview request through a court representative.
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”