Google Offers Concessions to EU Regulators
July 23, 2012
It seems that Google is becoming more like Henry Clay, the great compromiser. ITProPortal reports, “Google Makes New Settlement Offer to Appease EU Regulators.” This is just the latest step in a drawn out process, of course. Writer Rawiya Kameir explains:
“EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia earlier this year pointed out four concerns related to Google’s business practices that needed to be addressed, including whether its search engine promotes its own services over those of competitors and whether the company re-uses content, like restaurant and business reviews, from other sites without authorisation.
“In May, Almunia gave the company a July deadline to defend itself in the investigation or face charges and, likely, a hefty fine. Google tendered its official response early in July, in the form of a letter written by chairman Eric Schmidt.”
Almunia requested certain clarifications regarding that letter, and this latest settlement offer is said to be in response to that request. Specifics of the proposals are not available. Regulators are reportedly to decide whether to accept the terms within two weeks. At stake, the article says, is a penalty of up to ten percent of Google’s annual income. That’s a lot of euros!
Cynthia Murrell, July 23, 2012
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