The exclusive contracts referred to in the trial are known as 'Mobile Application Distribution Agreements' (MADAs) and involve revenue share agreements for pre-load exclusivity on devices. Google pays for these exclusive defaults on a device-by-device basis, ensuring it is the only preinstalled search engine, which restricts competition from rivals[2][6][3].
These contracts create significant barriers for competitors, as once signed, they lock up traffic and limit rivals' ability to attract queries. Without exclusivity, carriers could ship alternatives to Google Search, affecting rivals' investments and competitive viability[5][4][7].
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