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Microsoft Files Formal EU Competition Complaint Against Google
In a formal complaint filed with the European Commission on March 31, 2011, Microsoft alleges, inter alia, that Google engages in a “pattern of actions” that unfairly impedes competition.
Specifically, Microsoft alleges that the actions that Google has taken “entrench its dominance in the markets for online search and search advertising to the detriment of European consumers”.
For its part, Google has responded in an open and candid manner that “we continue to discuss the case with the European Commission and we’re happy to explain to anyone how our business works”.
Despite having been the subject of numerous anti-competition actions in both the U.S. and Europe, this is the first time that Microsoft has filed a formal complaint with regulators over competition issues.
Presently Google and its search engine controls over 90% of the Internet search advertising in Europe, which is significantly higher than Microsoft and its Bing search engine.
For additional information, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/microsoft-google-competition