I think this lawsuit is a sign that Google's management miscalculated. The last thing they wanted was for this issue to drag on. They don't want to be on the front lines of the culture war. They want to build great things and make piles of money.
I'm pretty sure this falls under the claims that Google gives its own services preference in search results. Didn't read the formal lawsuit yet, but something related to this has to be in there given how much it is talked about by politicians and the media.
Also a ripe opportunity for Google's lawyers to go after them as it creates confusion in the marketplace. Or maybe a marketing opportunity for them, if they play the David vs. Goliath card, should Google come after them.
This actually got me wondering if Google has ever sued someone in the same manner and it does not appear as if they have. I find that very interesting - does anyone have any links to the contrary?
Or the legal team has advised them that the legality is unclear and management has decided the easiest way to resolve murky law is to see the other side in court.
There's a lot of law like that, and Google has the war chest to ask the question when merely that act alone could bankrupt smaller companies.
It doesn't matter. Once one company wins in court, it sets a precedent. It attracts more companies to follow the same path as they'll think they have a better shot at winning. Google obviously wouldn't risk this.
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