As the UK stalls and splutters its way to even more chaos – the European Commission today fined Google Â1.49 billion for breaching EU antitrust rules.
The EU claims that Google has abused its market dominance by imposing a number of restrictive clauses in contracts with third-party websites which prevented Google’s rivals from placing their search adverts on these websites.
Expect more litigation news on this…….Please also reach out if you have any news or stories concerning
The EU first looked in to the whole trust position here http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/case_details.cfm?proc_code=1_39740 and the published and final decision is here http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/case_details.cfm?proc_code=1_40411
The Law
Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement prohibit the abuse of a dominant position.
Who sees the dosh?
“Fines imposed on companies found in breach of EU antitrust rules are paid into the general EU budget. This money is not earmarked for particular expenses, but Member States’ contributions to the EU budget for the following year are reduced accordingly. The fines therefore help to finance the EU and reduce the burden for taxpayers”.Â
Another tumbleweed moment for the Brexiteers!Â
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