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Google: EU's next antitrust target?

The European Commission has defended itself against U.S. criticism of the Microsoft antitrust ruling, as reports suggest Google may be next.
Written by Tom Espiner, Contributor

The European Commission has defended itself against US criticism of the Microsoft antitrust ruling, as reports suggest Google may be next.

Following the rejection of Microsoft's antitrust appeal, the European Commission has defended its stance against US critics and is believed to be considering action against other technology suppliers, with Google the most likely target.

The EU is already investigating whether Google's planned US$3.1 billion acquisition of online ad company DoubleClick would give it undue control over online advertising.

This week Neelie Kroes, the European Commission's competition commissioner, defended the Microsoft antitrust ruling against criticism from the United States. The EC's decision to fine Microsoft would have the effect of "harming consumers by chilling innovation and discouraging competition", said Thomas Barnett, the head of the United States Department of Justice's antitrust division, last week. The Department of Justice applied a more lenient penalty to Microsoft in 2002.

Kroes said: "I think it's totally unacceptable that a representative of the U.S. administration criticizes an independent court outside its jurisdiction." She said the EU would not "pass judgment on a ruling by U.S. courts and we expect the same degree of respect from U.S. authorities".

Google is facing a Senate hearing next week in the United States, where its DoubleClick purchase is being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Microsoft is pushing for action against Google.

Specuation has already arisen that Google could soon mirror Microsoft. The Economist suggested: "If Google becomes a central storage vault for data such as users' location and identity, as some fear, European regulators may one day try to compel the firm to give rivals open access to this information, rather as they have now forced Microsoft to release its communication protocols."

Other potential targets for the EU include Apple, whose iTunes and iPod have been criticized for excluding other products, and Intel, whose dominance in microprocessors has been criticized. The EU has not announced any formal action against Google or the other companies, however.

Microsoft has two months and 10 days to appeal against Monday's ruling. Even if it does not appeal, it will still have to negotiate the details of the settlement, including the license fee Microsoft can charge for its protocols, and whether it can be forced to provide them to its open-source competitors.

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