Google, the tech giant valued at nearly $2 trillion, is facing more than €12 billion in damages claims from dozens of price comparison websites across the European Union. These civil actions are linked to a 2017 decision by the European Commission that fined the Google for €2,4 billion for illegally using its search domain to favor its own shopping service.
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According to Bloomberg, since then, a wave of “follow-on” actions has been triggered, delayed for years while the Google appealed. Last year, a court upheld that the company violated antitrust laws, allowing EU plaintiffs to move forward with their cases without having to prove it again in court.
There are currently 12 civil cases underway in seven European countries, with nine of the claims worth more than €12 billion. If successful, these lawsuits could encourage more companies to take action against Google, in addition to fines already imposed by EU regulators.
Expensive in courts across Europe
O Google denies that any of the European civil lawsuits have merit. The company, valued at nearly $2 trillion, has not disclosed how many claims have been filed over the antitrust ruling or the amounts at stake.
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Several cases are due to be heard soon. In late June, a London judge will consider a £1bn claim by UK website Kelkoo and the now-defunct Foundem. In September, a court in Amsterdam will hear oral arguments in a case brought by Dutch company Compare Group.
New Claims and Value Increases
New claims continue to be filed. Last month, a €900 million lawsuit was filed in Amsterdam on behalf of several companies, including German website PreisRoboter and Portuguese website KuantoKusta. Last week, Italian group Moltiply announced a €2,97 billion claim for losses suffered by price comparison website Trovaprezzi between 2010 and 2017.
Some plaintiffs have increased their claims and recruited outside litigation funders, claiming that the Google continues to violate antitrust laws. They claim that the company's manipulation of search results allows it to unfairly dominate web traffic and profits.
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These actions represent a new front in the legal battles of Google in Europe. If successful, they could pave the way for more companies to take action against the tech giant, in addition to the fines already imposed by EU regulators.
