Google is currently facing unprecedented legal challenges in Europe. According to reports, the tech giant is dealing with at least 12 civil lawsuits across seven European countries, with the total claimed damages exceeding €12 billion ($12.9 billion). These lawsuits are linked to a 2017 European Commission ruling that fined Google €2.4 billion for abusing its search market dominance to unfairly promote its own shopping service, thereby harming competitors.

Background and Progress of the Lawsuits

In 2017, the European Commission imposed a €2.4 billion fine on Google for antitrust violations related to its shopping service. Google appealed the decision, which delayed the subsequent civil lawsuits for several years. However, last year, a tribunal upheld the ruling, confirming that Google had violated antitrust laws. This paved the way for the civil lawsuits to proceed.

Many of these cases are now approaching their trial dates. In late June, a London court will hear a £1 billion ($1.6 billion) claim by UK-based Kelkoo and the now-defunct site Foundem. In September, a court in Amsterdam will consider a case brought by the Dutch company Compare Group. Two hearings are scheduled in Hamburg in October, and Berlin's courts will hold two more in November, including a €3.3 billion claim by Axel Springer-owned Idealo.

Claimed Damages and Major Cases

While not all lawsuits have disclosed the exact amounts claimed, nine of the cases have combined to seek over €12 billion in damages. Notable claims include:

● Italy's Moltiply Group SA, which filed a €2.97 billion claim for losses suffered by its comparison shopping website Trovaprezzi between 2010 and 2017.

● Sweden's Pricerunner (now owned by Klarna), which is seeking €2.1 billion.

● Poland's Ceneo, which filed a €500 million claim.

Google's Response and Position

Google denies the validity of these lawsuits, arguing that the ad display it introduced in 2017 for price comparison sites has effectively resolved the issues. The company states that it does not differentiate between its own shopping service and those of its competitors, and notes that over 1,550 comparison shopping sites in Europe currently use its ad display, up from just seven in 2017.

A Google spokesperson said, "We strongly disagree with these lawsuits, which are brought by companies looking for a payout instead of investing in their own products."

Potential Impact of the Cases

These civil lawsuits pose a significant challenge to Google's market position in Europe and could have far-reaching implications for its global operations. If the plaintiffs succeed, it may encourage more companies to take legal action against Google, further increasing its legal burden. Additionally, the outcomes of these cases will serve as important legal precedents for other tech giants operating in Europe.

For Google, addressing these lawsuits requires not only legal strategies but also adjustments in its market behavior to avoid future legal disputes. For competitors and consumers, these lawsuits offer a crucial window into Google's conduct in the European market. They hope that the courts will deliver fair judgments to maintain a competitive market environment.

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