The European Commission has announced that it has accepted the new proposals submitted to it by Google, which has been accused by its rivals for abuse of position, paving the way for a "friendly" settlement of the case under investigation by 2010.
"I believe Google's new proposal, after lengthy and difficult talks, can resolve competition concerns," he said, curbing the Commission's concerns, Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said at a press conference in Brussels.
Noteworthy, in mid-January, Almunia had called on Google to quickly submit new proposals, threatening it with fines that could reach up to 10% of its total turnover, around 4 billion.
14 companies that have appealed against Google will have to disclose their own position before the Commission takes its final decision on the issue.
The companies accused Google of promoting its own services at the expense of other niche engines searchs, for example, websites specializing in travel issues, such as Expedia and lastminute.com.
In its latest proposal, the American company agrees to ensure that when it proposes its own services on its pages, e.g. for restaurants, hotels or consumer goods productwill simultaneously propose the services of three of its competitors that will be selected with objective criteria. Competing services will be clearly presented to users in a similar way to how Google presents its own services, the Commission explained.
Indeed, an independent organization will be responsible for verifying that Google is keeping its commitments.
"Without preventing Google from displaying its own services, it will be given the user the ability to choose between competing services that will be presented in a similar way. Users will choose the best alternative, "Mr Almunia said.
Google's proposal only covers the European area and will last for five years. If it is finally accepted, the company will avoid sanctions and fines of several billion dollars that could be imposed on it, and the investigation launched in November of 2010 will close.
In her announcement, Google emphasizes that she hopes to close the issue soon. "We will make significant changes to how Google works in Europe. We work with the European Commission to solve the problems that have been raised, "said Kent Woerker, general manager of the company.
The company also undertakes not to impose exclusive terms on its advertising agreements, which means that advertisers can more easily transfer their activity to other, competitive websites like Yahoo!
News Room «Profit»With information from RES - AMP
