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EU-Google Seek Accord on Worldwide Search Rules

Bottom Line: EU regulators are seeking concessions from Google which could be applied worldwide to resolve concerns about its business practices.


Reporting from Brussels, news agency Reuters reveals that ongoing discussions between the search titan's legal team and European Commission [EC] regulators are focused on the creation of a business conduct template that could be adopted worldwide. Google, whose search engine is accounts for some 80% of web searches within the European Union [EU], has been accused by rivals of abusing its dominant market position. Concerned about alleged anti-competitive practices, EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia has vowed to seek ...

[Estimated timeframe: Q3 2012 onward ]

... "worldwide solutions. It will not be very useful to get European-wide solutions,"  he told a news conference yesterday [25-Jul-12]. 

The Commission typically looks for concessions that would benefit European consumers, but has on occasions asked for remedies with a broader scope.

The Google probe is a critical case for Mr Almunia, and his demand for globally applicable solutions - which might see an EU decision serving as a template for worldwide regulators.

The current hearing is another example of Almunia's attempt to stamp his mark on EU competition policy.

He believes that Google's search results may unfairly favour its own search services over those of its rivals', while concern has also been expressed that the Cupertino colossus may have copied without permission material from other websites - for example travel and restaurant reviews.

Read the original unabridged article here.

Factual data only is sourced from the original attributed article. The data is then enhanced by additional research and comment.

Email this article Source: Reuters.com
MT article URL: http://www.marketingtomorrow.com/article.aspx?id=5884



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