European media groups file a lawsuit against Google for €2.1 billion – Kommersant
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According to the agency Reuters, 32 European media groups, including Axel Springer and Schibsted, filed a lawsuit against Google in an Amsterdam court. The plaintiffs allege that Google abuses its dominant position in the digital advertising market, causing media groups to suffer losses or receive less profit. The plaintiffs are seeking €2.1 billion in compensation from Google.
Along with Axel Springer and Schibsted, media groups from 15 countries are participating in the lawsuit, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. In total, the lawsuit names 55 publications; their websites are visited by more than 1 billion readers every month. According to the lawsuit, the media companies “suffered losses due to the weakening of competition in the market, and this is a direct result of Google’s violations.” “If Google had not abused its dominant position, media companies would have received higher advertising revenues and paid lower commissions,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys said.
Google representatives have already called the lawsuit “speculative and opportunistic,” promising that the company will fight it “vigorously and based on the facts.”
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