Google, the world’s largest search engine, has been in a legal battle with the European Union (EU) over a record-breaking antitrust fine of EUR 4.1 billion ($4.7 billion). However, the tech giant’s fight has suffered a major setback as Advocate General Juliane Kokott of the EU’s Court of Justice has stated in a non-binding opinion that Google’s appeal should fail due to inadequate legal arguments.
The European Commission had imposed this hefty fine on Google in July 2018 for violating antitrust laws by using its dominant position in the market to promote its own shopping comparison service over its competitors. The Commission had given Google 90 days to change its business practices, but the tech giant decided to appeal the decision, leading to a lengthy legal battle.
Google’s appeal was based on the argument that the Commission had failed to prove that its actions had caused any harm to consumers or competitors. However, Advocate General Kokott has dismissed this argument, stating that the Commission did not have to prove any harm as Google’s actions were enough to violate antitrust laws.
In her opinion, Advocate General Kokott also highlighted that Google’s appeal did not provide any evidence to show that the Commission had made any errors in its decision. She further stated that the Commission was justified in imposing such a high fine as Google’s actions had a significant impact on the market and its competitors.
This non-binding opinion by Advocate General Kokott is a significant blow to Google’s appeal and could potentially lead to the tech giant paying the full amount of the fine. However, the final decision will be made by the EU’s Court of Justice, which is expected to announce its ruling in the coming months.
This is not the first time Google has faced antitrust charges in the EU. In 2017, the Commission had fined the company EUR 2.4 billion for favoring its own search engine over its competitors. Google had also appealed this decision, but the Court of Justice had upheld the fine in 2019.
The EU’s strict antitrust laws are aimed at promoting fair competition in the market and protecting consumers’ interests. The Commission has been closely monitoring the actions of tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, who hold a dominant position in the market. This latest opinion by Advocate General Kokott further reinforces the Commission’s stance on preventing any abuse of power by these companies.
Google, on the other hand, has maintained that its actions have always been in the best interest of consumers. The company has argued that its shopping comparison service has helped users find the best deals and has not caused any harm to its competitors. However, this opinion by Advocate General Kokott has raised questions about Google’s business practices and could potentially lead to changes in the way the company operates in the EU.
Despite this setback, Google remains determined to fight the antitrust fine and has stated that it will continue to make its case to the Court of Justice. The tech giant has also emphasized its commitment to complying with the EU’s laws and regulations.
In conclusion, Google’s fight against the record-breaking antitrust fine imposed by the EU has suffered a major blow with Advocate General Kokott’s non-binding opinion. This decision highlights the EU’s strong stance on promoting fair competition in the market and could potentially have a significant impact on Google’s operations in the region. As the final decision is yet to be made, all eyes are now on the Court of Justice to see how this legal battle unfolds.
