The Continuing Google Saga
August 14, 2011
We just can’t get away from news of Google’s legal imbroglios. ZDNet announces, “Google Faces Nine Antitrust Complaints in the EU.” That’s five more European entanglements than had previously been revealed. Writer Matt Weinberger notes:
It’s certainly not good news for Google, which faces an FTC probe here in the US in addition to these complaints in the EU. But it’s not necessarily any worse for Google either – several of these cases will likely cover the same issues, so one European Commission investigation can potentially shed light on all nine.
The cases revolve around the claim that Google suppressed smaller businesses’ pages in search results in order to quash competition. A ruling against the company could call for a fine of up to 10% of its global turnover. That’s a lot of Euros. We have to wonder: in the present economic climate, could getting money from a giant US company might be considered a possible factor? Just saying.
Google chairman Eric Schmidt must be feeling the pressure. He’s scheduled to appear on September 21 before a US Senate subcommittee, where his words are sure to be scrutinized by the parties involved in this mess across the pond.
Distraction? We think even Google will have to pay attention as the legal tasks pile up.
Cynthia Murrell August 14, 2011
Sponsored by Pandia.com, publishers of The New Landscape of Enterprise Search
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