This Is How Much Google Paid To Keep Its Search Bar On iPhone
Android revenue and profits wasn't the only thing about Google that Oracle's court documents spilled. Aside from the billions that Google has so far made off its mobile platform, one part of the document, now gone and officially "never existed", also revealed that Google paid a hefty sum, to the tune of $1 billion, to Apple in order to retain its position as the search provider in the latter's search bar on the iPhone. Plus, the document also revealed a revenue sharing between the two companies that may have embarrassed both.
It's not unusual for companies to make deals with one another, some more secretive than others. There are, however, some that could tarnish the companies' reputations if word ever got out. Such was part of the argument that Google made to the court in demanding that related transcripts used in the Oracle v Google be stricken from record. Interestingly, Apple was on Google's side, but that's probably because it has much to lose.
The trial transcripts revealed two things. The first is that Google paid Apple something along the lines of $1 billion in 2014 so that Apple would retain it as the web search engine of choice in the Search Bar feature on the iPhone. This reveals the extent that Google will go to in order to retain its presence on its bitter rival's platform.
The second revelation is just as interesting and perhaps damning to both. A Google witness mentioned that there was, at one point, 34 percent revenue sharing between Google and Apple. While specifics have not been said and will probably be never known, it has been made in reference to advertising-based revenue, implying that Apple, despite criticizing Google's ad model, actually benefits from it.
The transcript itself has vanished from the court's electronic records, but the cat is already out of the bag. The court also refused Google's request to completely block what it considers sensitive information from public review. It fears that once those negotiation details have become known, Google and Apple's ability to negotiate similar terms with other companies will be negatively impacted.
SOURCE: Bloomberg