An antitrust investigation of Google by the European Union started late last year. Google, its Euro rivals say, is taking steps that result in lower search rankings for its competitors and other techniques that limit their advertising competitiveness. Microsoft took a stand with its Euro subsidiaries Thurs and filed a criticism of its own accusing Google of anti-competitive techniques. Source for this article – Microsoft adds complaint to EU antitrust investigation of Google by MoneyBlogNewz.
Complaint Microsoft issued against Google
In Europe, Google may have to deal with the antitrust complaint that Microsoft filed saying that Google is limiting access to data needed with YouTube and Google services like this to be able to hurt European customers. Currently, Google is already being investigated by the European Union Competition Commission for antitrust problems. Adding Microsoft could really help the issue. Microsoft's search engine Bing has been unable to get much attention in Europe while the Internet search industry is about 95 percent under Google's thumb in Europe. There have, in the past, been a lot of antitrust complaints that Google has been used to dealing with about competition as it is Europe's center place for advertisers to go. Billions went to the European Commission from Microsoft for Windows antitrust investigations. Now, Microsoft has decided to get Google to the same problem.
Obvious fights between Google and Bing
Microsoft’s European antitrust complaint against Google is about background technologies such as “application programming interfaces” that unlock access to Google products and services. The Microsoft complaint states that Google makes it impossible for Bing and other search engines to have access to YouTube due to the application programming interfaces used. Google then becomes the primary search engine used. The Windows Phones cannot work with YouTube very well due to Google's programming, Microsoft suggests; which is not a problem on the iPhone or Android. Microsoft suspects that Windows Phones are getting the short shrift due to Bing because Apple doesn’t compete with Google in the search engine market. Microsoft also alleges that Google blocks some advertisers from access to data they need to optimize advertising on rival platforms, allegations already being investigated by the EU antitrust probe.
Revenues drop for Google in Europe possibly
The EU Commission spokesman said that Google can speak. Its side of the story must also be heard. In order to keep a consistency with Google ads, Google said the third-party software restraint is necessary. Advertisers are allowed to access any data that is available; there are no restraints. Microsoft is involved. This means the stakes are much higher. There might be a huge fine Google would have to face. This might be up to 10 percent of global revenues in one year, which last year was $29 billion. It could also be forced to change the way it does business in Europe. The EU commission said that Google would be able to defend itself and stay away from a fine by changing its business in Europe before Microsoft got involved.
Citations
Associated Press
finance.yahoo.com/news/Microsoft-throws-weight-apf-1337664829.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=6&asset=&ccode=
Los Angeles Times
latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/03/microsoft-files-european-antitrust-complaint-against-google.html
New York Times
nytimes.com/2011/04/01/technology/01google.html?src=busln
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