Google Antitrust Settlement: Google Hopes to Settle with EU Antitrust Commission in 2013

Google Antitrust Settlement: Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been in a lot of hot water lately. Yesterday, we brought you coverage on the FTC’s two-year probe into the search giant’s business practices. Fortunately for Google, it looks as if they will escape the probe without any serious punishment.

Even though they may be on their way to clearing the air at home in the United States, the same cannot be said for other regions of the world.

In 2010, the EU Antitrust Commission targeted Google after rivals began to complain about anti-competitive behavior.

If found to have violated antitrust laws, the company could be fined up to 10% of its global revenue.

According to a recent article in France 24 online, Google is being investigated for the following:

– How its vertical search services are displayed within general search results as compared to services of competitors

– How Google may use and display third party content on its vertical search services

– Exclusivity agreements for the delivery of Google search advertisements on other websites

– Restrictions in the portability of AdWords advertising campaigns.

Rather than wait for a ruling, it appears that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is going to make a settlement offer.

In a statement released by EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia and discussed on CNET, a settlement offer is expected sometime during January 2013. Almunia said:

Since our preliminary talks with Google started in July, we have substantially reduced our differences regarding possible ways to address each of the four competition concerns expressed by the Commission.

Since 2010, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been under investigation by both the FTC and EU Antitrust Commission. The company hopes to put both issues to rest by early 2013.

Check back here for more updates on Google Antitrust Settlement.

For more information on how things are progressing between Google and the FTC, read our coverage here:

Google Inc, FTC Probe Update

Google Inc: FTC May Be Prepping Antitrust Fight