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Google European Commission

German newspapers consider lawsuit over Google's continued online search dominance

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By Gillian West, Social media manager

September 14, 2014 | 2 min read

Europe's largest newspaper publishers are reportedly considering taking legal action to the European Commission in regards to Google's dominance of the online search market.

A consortium of German news organisations are said to be considering a lawsuit should an agreement over Google's powers not be reached with the four-year investigation centring on allegations that Google has been doctoring search results to promote its own services over rivals.

Lawyers acting for a group of German publishers, including Axel Springer, have confirmed that if they are unsatisfied with the commissions proposal following new talks they would challenge it at Luxembourg's EU Court of Justice. A move backed by the European Publishers Council (EPC).

Last week departing competition commissioner at the EU, JoaquĆ­n Almunia, tore up a proposed deal with Google after opposition from Paris and Berlin, suggesting that the case will stretch on into the next commission.

"I have never linked the date of a decision to the duration of my mandate," he said.

Speaking with the Sunday Times, David Wood, a lawyer for lobby group ICOMP, whose members include Microsoft and the Premier League, said the next commission was expected to be tougher on Google, and that this could make a court case less likely.

The European Commission has said it is "in contact with Google to see if they are ready to improve their commitment proposals" with Google adding that it "continues to work with the EC to resolve the concerns they have raised".

At present Google handles 90 per cent of European internet searches.

Google European Commission

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