Software vendor Microsoft Corp., US, has reportedly filed a formal complaint against Google, Inc. with the European antitrust regulators. In its complaint, Microsoft claims that Google engages in a 'pattern of actions' that impede competition unfairly. The company gave several examples of what it believes are anticompetitive acts. For instance, Google reportedly bars competitors from accessing its video site, YouTube, for their search results. Also, it does not allow phones running Microsoft's operating system to work properly with YouTube.
Microsoft itself is a target of anti-competition action in Europe and the US. It is reportedly for the first time that Microsoft has filed a complaint with regulators over competition issues.
The EU is investigating whether Google has violated the region's antitrust laws. Meanwhile, Google is under growing pressure from global regulators that are probing whether the company uses its dominance of web search to thwart competition. A growing number of lawmakers are seeking congressional hearings on Google's business practices.
Earlier this month, the US Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights vowed to ensure fair competition in the Internet search market dominated by Google. The chairman of the Senate Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, Herb Kohl, recently said in a statement that he would examine allegations raised by e-commerce websites that compete with Google. The websites earlier claimed that they were being treated unfairly in search ranking and in their ability to purchase search advertising.
Search for more Google related information
To access our daily STM news feed through your iPhone, iPad, or other smartphones, please visit www.myscoope.com for a mobile friendly reading experience.
