PARIS, SEPT 22 – Seven French media groups plan to sue Google for more than 1 billion euros (US$1.1 billion) over alleged anti-competition in online advertising, a report said last Friday.
Professional information service Mind Media said the seven groups, representing a total of 22 companies, had either started or were about to start legal action.
The move comes after France’s competition watchdog fined Google 220 million euros in June 2021 for favoring its own services in the online advertising sector.
“Google has clearly been found guilty of anti-competitive behavior. French competition authorities have stated that Google has for years favored its own solutions to the detriment of its competitors,” Figaro CEO Marc Feuillee was quoted as saying in the report.
Feuillee said he believes his group is a victim of the technology system we use, and is seeking compensation.
The plaintiffs are Le Figaro, SIPA/Ouest-France, Prisma Media, Les Echos-Le Parisien, Adevinta/Leboncoin, CMA Media and sports daily L’Equipe.
A preliminary hearing to set the trial schedule was held in early September at a Paris commercial court, and the proceedings could last two to three years.
Google’s anti-competitive advertising is also subject to investigations or proceedings in Britain, the European Union (EU) and the United States. – AFP
