E.U. Antitrust Probe May Result in 'Banning' Google
"Google can make money by favoring certain links which it places in a logically more advantageous position than others. ... This transparent process may end with a declaration of incompatibility and a ban in order to hinder the restriction or distortion of competition."
As part of its anti-trust policy, the E.U. has
opened an investigation into certain practices of the company Google, at the
request of three firms [based
in the E.U.] who claim that
Google's search processes are discriminatory, as are its methods for placing
advertisements. Google controls 80 percent of all searches in Europe, so any
company penalized by the search engine suffers an objective loss of position in
the market.
[Editor's Note: Microsoft has since admitted 'having a hand' in the probe. One of the three companies that complained about Google search ranking results and the terms and conditions of its AdSense program is owned by Microsoft].
It is of course, by no means the only problem afflicting
Google. The company is
on trial before an Italian court for posting videos posing a threat to the dignity
of the person. Furthermore, it has to confront the debate over the legal effects
of book digitization and news circulation in relation to intellectual property
and publishing rights. It makes sense that Brussels would intervene to preserve
open competition. That has been a substantial element of the European "common market" since
the very beginning of integration, which has now been reinforced by the Lisbon Treaty. This
transparent process may end with a declaration of incompatibility and a ban in
order to hinder the restriction or distortion of competition.
Providing free
content to digital media users entails a lot more than providing links to news
sites, no matter what formal arguments the company insists upon. After all, Google can make money by favoring certain
links which it places in a logically more advantageous position than others.
It's illegitimate to profit from the editorial work of others without offering
compensation. It is work that involves the selection, development and
evaluation of news, which naturally entails an investment of human and
financial resources by media. Therefore, E.U. intervention is good news in
terms of educating the public and developing free competition that treats all
operators impartially. We should follow this process, which may set a
crucial precedent, with the utmost attention.
