ABUSE OF DOMINANT POSITION : ALMUNIA WANTS GOOGLE TO MAKE MORE CONCESSIONS.

Hopes are dimming for a quick solution at European level to the Google case'. The company is suspected of abuse of dominant position in the sector of online search. On 20 September, Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia threatened to move from the current status - ie discussions aimed at reaching an amicable settlement' - to sending a statement of objections, which could lead to a long legal battle and above all to substantial financial sanctions (up to 10% of the company's turnover if found at fault) - unless the Mountain View-based company makes further concessions.

At a conference at Fordham University in New York, Alumina made it clear that, short of satisfying proposals being made, he would be forced to resort to formal procedures.

Since July (see Europolitics 4470), the Commission has been urging Google to radically change its services for...