Google makes fresh offers in Euro anti-trust negotiations

Ads dominatrix hopes to slip out of Brussels' clutches

By Kelly Fiveash, Networks Correspondent, 17th July 2012

Requirements Checklist for Choosing a Cloud Backup and Recovery Service Provider

Advertising giant Google has sent a revised package of concessions to Europe's competition commissioner after it was asked to clarify aspects of its proposed antitrust settlement, according to the Financial Times.

It's been two weeks since the colossal advertising company submitted to Brussels' competition watchdog what it described as a "proposal" that addressed the "abuse of dominance" claims outlined by competition commissioner Joaquin Almunia in May.

However, as the FT noted this morning, talks between the two parties now appear to be at a "critical juncture".

Indeed, El Reg learned in April that officials in Brussels hoped to wrap things up with Google one way or another before the European Commission's summer break kicks in.

Almunia's office has always maintained that it has no "legal deadline" to issue its conclusion of the investigation into allegations that Google stifles competition by favouring its own products in web search results over its rivals in Europe.

But it now seems clear that the bargaining game between Google supremo Eric Schmidt and the EC's competition commissioner is fast approaching the next stage - be it legal proceedings or a settlement proposal that actually satisfies Almunia.

At time of writing, the European Commission's officials had yet to return The Register's request for comment. A Google spokesman told us: "We continue to work cooperatively with the European Commission." ®

Requirements Checklist for Choosing a Cloud Backup and Recovery Service Provider