Would Chrome have gained that much popularity if Google hadn't been the most used search engine, nay, website in the world?
> As far as I understand, developing a non-monopoly business to try to protect your monopoly business is not illegal.
IANAL either, but whatever Google is doing with Chrome should be illegal, i.e. making so many (open) web standards that it is basically impossible for a new browser engine entrant unless they invest billions.
In fact, I reckon that no major corporation should be sitting on the W3C board if they have vested interest in controlling the future of the internet. It's the equivalent of lobbying legislators, but worse, because the people writing the standards are openly on your payroll.
Right now the only thing that stands between Google and total domination of the world wide web is Apple and their stubborn dedication to Webkit. Another example that only a company with the revenue in the hundreds of billions can complete in this field that affects the entire world. I am sincerely thankful to them.