Moltiply, the Italian price comparison platform, has lodged a significant legal action against Google, seeking damages totaling €2.97 billion. This claim arises from allegations of anti-competitive behavior and dominance abuse by Google, extending from 2010 to 2017. Moltiply asserts that its subsidiary, 7Pixel, which operates the comparison site Trovaprezzi.it, suffered due to Google’s preferential treatment of its own shopping platform over rival services.
The core of Moltiply’s claim hinges on Google’s purported self-preferencing practices, which allegedly stymied competition and impaired 7Pixel’s development by elevating Google’s platforms above others. This lawsuit reflects a recurring theme in regulatory battles faced by Google, particularly in Europe.
The lawsuit draws on a 2017 European Commission decision that fined Google €2.42 billion. This penalty was imposed for Google’s misuse of its dominant position in online search by systematically favoring its comparison shopping service at the expense of competitors. Significantly, the European Court of Justice upheld this decision, affirming that Google’s practices were discriminatory and fell outside the bounds of competitive fairness.
In response to the lawsuit filed by Moltiply, a Google spokesperson stated their firm disagreement with the damages claims presented by the Italian company. As reported by Reuters, Google’s representatives argue that these claims overlook the growth and success of the competitive landscape.
As this legal dispute unfolds, the wider implications for market operations and regulatory frameworks within the European Union remain a critical focus, offering considerable interest for large corporations and law firms engaged in competition law and digital market practices.