Class Action in California Against Google (GOOG) Could Give Microsoft, Oracle More Leverage in European Case (MSFT) (ORCL)

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) are on watch Friday as Google (Nasdaq: GOOG)(Nasdaq: GOOGL) seeks to have a lawsuit in California dismissed.

Fierce Wireless said the suit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California (USDCNDC), was from two wireless customers alleging that the way Google licenses its Android platform to smartphone companies is unfair for competitors. The suit was filed last May.

The complaint says Google forces companies that utilize Android to set Google as the default search engine.

While Google argues that consumers can change the default search setting, a lawyer for the plaintiffs said they are unlikely to do so. Additionally, OEMs can preload competing apps to Android before distributing devices.

What this means is that Microsoft and Oracle will have a little more leverage to argue for an antitrust case in Europe. Last year, a group, which included Microsoft, Oracle, Expedia (Nasdaq: EXPE), and TripAdvisor (Nasdaq: TRIP), filed a suit in Europe with similar allegations.

Google is up nearly 4 percent Friday following strong Q2 results issued Thursday night.

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