In a major legal victory, Google successfully overturned a €1.49 billion ($1.66 billion) antitrust fine imposed by the European Union, marking a significant blow to the EU’s antitrust crackdown on Big Tech. Meanwhile, chipmaker Qualcomm saw a minimal reduction in its fine for predatory pricing but failed to overturn the EU’s 2019 ruling.
Key Points:
- Google’s Victory: The EU’s General Court annulled the fine, ruling that the European Commission failed to prove that Google’s AdSense practices deterred innovation or harmed consumers.
- Qualcomm’s Outcome: Qualcomm’s €242 million fine for selling chipsets below cost was only reduced to €238.7 million, with the court rejecting most of the company’s arguments.
- Mixed Record for EU Antitrust Chief: Margrethe Vestager, the outgoing EU antitrust chief, faces a mixed court record despite recent wins against Google in another case and Apple over tax deals.
- Appeal Potential: Both companies and the European Commission may appeal to the European Court of Justice, which could prolong the legal battles.
While Google’s win highlights the complexities of enforcing antitrust regulations against Big Tech, the ruling may encourage further scrutiny of competition law in the EU. Qualcomm’s minor win underscores the challenges that await companies facing similar legal hurdles.
