Europe Is Getting Ready To Throw The Book At Google

The European Union will serve Google with a 400-page Statement of Objections in its antitrust investigation early next year. That’s the next step in a legal action that could end with Google being fined up to 10% of its annual revenue.

The EU launched its investigation in November 2010. It’s looking into complaints from competitors that Google favors its own sites in organic search results.

The Statement of Objections is a formal document laying out the results of the investigation. (It is not usually disclosed to the public.) Next, Google could try to respond to the complaint by changing its behavior and reaching a settlement. But if it feels that the results are unfair, Google could try and fight the case.

If Google doesn’t settle, the EU can fine it up to 10% of its revenues until the violations are fixed or Google wins on appeal.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt is reportedly flying to Brussels for a “courtesy meeting” with the head of the European Commission next week, where he’s expected to discuss Google’s acquisition of Motorola.

Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-is-getting-ready-to-throw-the-book-at-google-2011-12