On Friday, the Madras High Court temporarily restrained Google from delisting some of the matrimony and 13 other applications from Play Store. The bench of S.V. Gangapurwala (C.J.) and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu granted the interim injunction after hearing the final arguments of appeals that were filed by Matrimony and others for challenging a single judge for denying the relief.
The single judge of the Madras High Court dismissed 14 pleas from Indian startups and tech companies which includes Bharat Matrimony, Shaadi.com, etc. against Google’s app billing policy. The judge held that the issue fell under the jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the remedy available under the Competition Act was more comprehensive than available before a civil court.
Google required all app developers to use its Google Play Billing System for all transactions which include paid app downloads and in-app purchases. Google’s new billing system allows users to opt for other options besides GPBS. Matrimony and the other app developers have questioned the fee before the High Court. The next argument will be on August 23.
NAME – ABHIPRA AGARWAL, COLLEGE – CHANDERPRABHU JAIN COLLEGE OF HIGHER STUDIES, GGSIPU, AN INTERN UNDER LEGAL VIDHIYA
