Chronno, The reason Google can sue is because the customer is the US Government. The Government is required by law to consider all bids from private companies. This has two purposes; first, it prevents the government from getting to cozy with a private company, and second, it is supposed to protect the tax payers.
Imagine that you are a mayor of a city, and you have a friend to works in construction. It would be unfair for you to higher your friend to install new roads in your city, without considering bids from other contractors. This type of system would eventually turn into a "who knows who" and bribery system.
So the US Government 'may' have actually broken the law since they are required to have an open bid and consider all possible contractors.
Google has no right to sue any private party for not considering their products (Walmart, Ford, etc.) But they do have a right to sue the US Government. Everyone is supposed to get an even shot when it comes to public bids.
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Re: I think I missed something
Chronno, The reason Google can sue is because the customer is the US Government. The Government is required by law to consider all bids from private companies. This has two purposes; first, it prevents the government from getting to cozy with a private company, and second, it is supposed to protect the tax payers.
Imagine that you are a mayor of a city, and you have a friend to works in construction. It would be unfair for you to higher your friend to install new roads in your city, without considering bids from other contractors. This type of system would eventually turn into a "who knows who" and bribery system.
So the US Government 'may' have actually broken the law since they are required to have an open bid and consider all possible contractors.
Google has no right to sue any private party for not considering their products (Walmart, Ford, etc.) But they do have a right to sue the US Government. Everyone is supposed to get an even shot when it comes to public bids.