(MENAFN Press) (EMAILWIRE.COM, December 16, 2012 ) San Francisco, CA --
European antitrust officials remain severely focused on the accusations against Google's dominant search engine, which they claim gives favorable placement to company's commerce and services, thwarting any and all competition.
Google's settlement talks involved European regulators taking the stance that search bias must be addressed if anything at all is to be done. The Federal Trade Commissions chose to chose to remove its pursuit of an antitrust case against Google, but European regulators have apparently not be phased.
At least, that was the message Joaquin Alumina wanted to send. The European Union Antitrust Commissioner delivered a strong-worded statement to his own counterpart across the pond, Jon Leibowitz. The two had spoken in private, and under the condition they they not be identified, due to the fact they were not authorized to speak at the time.
The two antitrust authorities (in Europe and America) do communicate on a semi-regular basis; however, they work independently. Thus, the European position is not wholly surprising, but perhaps it is more aptly titled as disappointing for Google and perhaps the FTC.
The report enters two weeks after the FTC may moves toward a settlement, effectively sidestepping complaints from Google's rivals.
The settlement between the internet Giant and the FTC has apparently been focused on other competition sticking points. Such topics would include Google's contracts with Web publishers and the way in which they hold contracts with advertisers.
Accusations of bias were the true starting-point of the cases by the FTC and the European counterpart. Rivals have complained that the engine allows its own paid companies to gain access to stop spots much easier than any other providers listing.
In its general search results, Mr. Almunia said, Google displays links to its own vertical search services differently than it does for links to competitors. We are concerned that this may result in preferential treatment compared with those of competing services, which may be hurt as a result.
