Q1 Now The Deadline For Decision On EU Antitrust Complaint Against Google

According to Reuters European regulators are going to decide by the end of Q1 2012 (March) about the filing of a formal antitrust case against Google. Apparently this timing is much sooner than expected. The European investigation began a little more than a year ago in November 2010.

The European Commission investigation arose out of formal anti-competition complaints filed by three companies: Foundem, eJustice and Ciao (owned by Microsoft). Since that time other companies have separately filed formal complaints, including Microsoft, bringing to total number to roughly 10 filings.

In the context of a formal case against Google, which has yet to be determined, the European Commission could ultimately impose fines of up to 10 percent of annual gross revenues. That could amount to more than $3 billion. The EU made Microsoft pay billions in fines several years ago for antitrust violations.

While speculation over outcomes is very premature, I would be surprised if the European Commission decided to do nothing and simply walk away.

Google is also facing an antitrust inquiry in the United States. And just as the Golden Globes exert influence over the Oscars, the actions of the European Commission will probably be influential upon US regulators.

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• Admitting Role In Google Anti-Trust Complaints Microsoft Complains Of Google “Lock In”
• Googleopoly: The Definitive Guide To Antitrust Investigations Against Google
• SEMPO To Feds: Hands Off Google
• EU Signaling It May Tolerate Google’s “Dominance” Of Search
• Eric Schmidt Tells Congress That Google Doesn’t Have ‘Separate Products & Services’
• Sen. Franken Criticizes Google In Hearings, Praises Google In Promotional Video
• Google Senate Hearings: The Post-Game Show
• Rhetoric vs. Reality: Schmidt Plays Up Mobile Competition In Written Senate Testimony
• Does The FairSearch White Paper On Google Being Anticompetitive Hold Up?
• Do The Majority Of Americans Think Google Is Unfair?

About The Author

Greg Sterling

Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land. He writes a personal blog, Screenwerk, about connecting the dots between digital media and real-world consumer behavior. He is also VP of Strategy and Insights for the Local Search Association. Follow him on Twitter or find him at Google+.