Italy: Antitrust proceedings against Google dropped
Italy's antitrust authority on Monday dropped a case against Google triggered by a push from newspaper publishers. The competition authority AGCM accepted a proposal from the U.S. Internet company on Monday.
Accordingly, Google promised to grant publishers control over the use of their content and to ensure greater transparency in advertising revenues. The publishers' association FIEG had accused Google of abusing its dominant position in 2009. In an initial statement, association president Carlo Malinconico welcomed the fact that the antitrust authority had looked into Google's activities in the publishing industry for the first time. He added that this was only an initial response, which must now be followed up by action on the part of the legislature. Malinconico also referred to similar investigations in France, Germany and the EU Commission. It remains to be seen to what extent the settlement in Italy will influence the other proceedings in Europe.
Google's willingness to make changes to its terms and conditions does not mean it has any doubts about its own business model, the company says. "We are confident that Google complies with all competition laws in Italy and the EU," it said in a statement. However, there is always room for improvement, it added.
