It is the expected and insofar unspectacular judgment. In the Google Shopping case, the responsible EU court has confirmed the decision of the EU Commission to impose a fine of 2.42 billion euros on the internet company and to order it to stop its anti-competitive practices. Google's attempt to portray itself as persecuted innocence has failed. This is important not least because other comparable cases are pending, for which the current judgment should have precedent effect. Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who has suffered several defeats in different proceedings in court in recent years, can feel confirmed in this and probably also in the following similar cases. In the opinion of the court, the evidence provided by the EU competition authority.
But that's only one side of the coin. The Google Shopping case again highlights the fact that antitrust law is reaching its limits in the fight against market power, especially for large digital corporations. As a reminder: In 2009, competitors filed a complaint in Brussels about Google's practices, and in 2010 the EU Commission opened antitrust proceedings, which it ended with its decision in 2017 - the latter has now been confirmed four years later. Twelve years is an eternity on the affected market. Google is probably the most prominent digital "doorman" who, with its search engine, can block competitors' access to downstream markets - here the market for price comparison services. These competitors have long since disappeared from the market,until a decision in antitrust proceedings is final.
Mainly for this reason, the Commission is to receive more stringent instruments against the "bouncers" in the future.
These allow her to forbid certain behaviors from the outset.
It is good that the planned “Digital Markets Act” (DMA) is now on the legislative home straight.
The judges will still have enough work to do after their entry into force.