Boston, MA 02/05/2014 (wallstreetpr) – Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is trying everything possible to amicably settle the three-year old regulatory investigation in Europe and its efforts seem to be falling in the right place, as indicated by the European commission on Wednesday.
Google’s Europe Probe
The troubles knocked the search engine giant in November 2010 when several complainants alleged that it is misappropriately promoting its services at their cost. After which, European Commission had opened a regulatory investigation pursuing Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) for the necessary corrective actions and intending to charge it with a fine of up to $5 billion. So far, the latest offer from Google will count in as its third attempt to resolve the matter, which is more likely is perceived as successful, except for the further chances of disapproval by its rivals. The belief strengthens further with the issued statement of the European Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia that they find Google’s latest proposal satisfactory to resolve the Commission’sapprehensions. In turn, Google’s General Counsel, Kent Walker assured that they are working their best to attend the issues through significantly altering the way Google functions in Europe.
Under the latest effort, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has agreed to give a prominent display area to its three rivals for their web links and logos, and will follow the content provider’s discretion in using material to promote its own services.Additionally, Google has also accepted to lift the restriction it had previously imposed on the advertisers to move their campaigns to competitiors’ platforms like Microsoft’s Bing and Yahoo!’s search tool. As per the reports of ComScore, Google currently reigns the 75% market space of the European’s search market.
Smart Battle, But Not Over
If Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) succeeds to dodge the heavy fine in Europe this time, then it will be its second achievement in a row, as it was able to save itself from heavier sanctions back in last year from the Federal Trade Commission too. This essentially highlights the Google’s ability to tread smoothly amid the threats of competitors.
Troubles will not be over for Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) as it stares over to another EU probe relating to its Android Operating System, which could unfold into potentially bigger risks for it. Google is accused by the FairSearch, a lobbying group comprising tech giants like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK), that it is using Android to redirect traffic to its own search engine. This can become a major issue if Commission decides to open an investigation.
