EU Antitrust Probe targeting Google

November 30, 2010 - Last Tuesday the European Commission announced that they are investigating allegations that Google has abused its dominant position in online search to promote its other services.

The European Commission said that they will do some questions on PC manufacturers and software developers to see whether they were pressured by Google to make its search service the default in their products. The investigation was launched following a preliminary examination of complaints received by the Commission from a French legal search engine, and by two price comparators, Foundem of the U.K. and Ciao of Germany.

The Companies claim that their services were treated by Google unfavorably. The Commission was concerned that Google may have lowered the ranking result of its rival providers in order to promote similar service of its own.

Google Spokesman responded to the allegation saying that some restrictions are design especially to advertisers who are placing ads across several search engines; it doesn't play to the lowest common denominator -- which would hamper any new innovations in AdWords. They also hit back the complainants saying that background checking their international rival Microsoft they found out that Microsoft has a hand in two of the complainants. They stated that Microsoft owns Ciao and assisted Foundem to lobby in multiple cities around the world through an organization called ICOMP.

Still the Commission said that opening the investigation does not imply that it has been proven to any infringements. They said that the length of the investigation will depend on the company’s cooperation.

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