EU's Almunia sets deadline for Google antitrust plan

The European Union set Google an ultimatum on Dec 18, giving it a month to come up with detailed proposals to resolve a two-year investigation into complaints that it used its power to block rivals, including Microsoft.

The EU's antitrust chief, Joaquin Almunia, delivered the deadline in a meeting with Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt in Brussels. If it fails to address the complaints, the world's most popular search engine could face a lengthy battle with what is arguably the world's most powerful antitrust authority. If found guilty, it could mean a fine of up to 10 percent of its revenue, or $4 billion. "Since our preliminary talks with Google started in July, we have substantially reduced our differences regarding possible ways to address each of the four competition concerns expressed by the Commission," Almunia said. "On the basis of the progress made, I now expect Google to come forward with a detailed commitment text in January 2013."