The higher Google climbs, the more desperately Microsoft tries to bring it down.
FairSearch, an anti-Google group that includes Microsoft, Nokia, and Oracle, is shifting its attention from search to mobile with a complaint to the European Union. It's claim? Android is Google's latest vector to dominate the tech world.
"Google’s predatory distribution of Android at below-cost makes it difficult for other providers of operating systems to recoup investments in competing with Google’s dominant mobile platform," FairSearch says.
Basically, in FairSearch's view, Google's mobile strategy is inherently anticompetitive. Selling Android devices means also selling default apps like Maps YouTube, and Google Play -- all of which plug directly back into Google.
Of course, Microsoft's position here is a bit ironic, given that it was recently charged with a $731 million fine by the European Union for limiting browser choice in Windows. So this a bit of a pot-kettle-black situation in that regard.
More broadly, Microsoft is essentially preaching to the choir here. Not only has the EU been on Google's case for a while, but the organization is fresh off an investigation into Google's unified privacy policy. It knows what's going on.
Google's response to the claims is not much of a response at all. "We continue to work cooperatively with the European Commission," a Google spokesperson told us.
While any investigation into Google only helps to keep it honest (in theory, anyway), it's tough not to whip out the cynicism-tinted glasses when those investigations are being pushed by the company's competitors.
This is especially true when it comes to Microsoft, a company whose only defense against Google has been a series of feeble attack ads that have hurt Microsoft's reputation more than Google's.
Worse, by appealing to the EU, Microsoft is taking its Google beef to an embarrassing new level. Rather than topple Google by outperforming Google on products, Microsoft is trying to get regulators to do its job for it.
If Google is Mozart, Microsoft is Salieri -- only this story probably won't end the same way it does in Amadeus.