This seems like it has been discussed for a few years now, but a recent relevant article is here: https://www.techspot.com/news/107215-justice-department-asks-dc-judge-order-immediate-sale.html
From what I understand, Google's Chrome browser is based off of Chromium, an open-sourced browser project. Microsoft's Edge browser and Opera's web browser are also based on Chromium.
How can Google be forced to "sell" something that is already available for anyone to use?
Yes, Google employees seem to be the ones who maintain the Chromium codebase, but why would anyone want to *pay* Google money just to take on the burden of having to maintain code that any other company can still benefit from?
And beyond that, even if Google sells their "Chrome" browser, can't they just *immediately* start building another "Totally-Not-Chrome" web browser that is also based off of Chromium?
I think I'm failing to see what the core legal problem here is. Chrome is just a web browser. Yes, it is bundled with Android devices, but users can still download any other browser and use that instead. Just like how plenty of Windows users used to immediately download Chrome, or Apple and Linux users used to immediately download Opera.
And now to the reason I'm even posting in this subreddit: **What effect, if any, would this have on Alphabet's stock price?**
If they can still sell it and immediately turn around and just build another web browser... Doesn't that effectively mean free money into Alphabet's pocket from whoever makes the purchase?
I swear I'm not trying to be dense here. I'm clearly missing something, right? Any assistance/clarification would be appreciated.
