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"Is Google dominant?" [2020] ELECD 331; in Maihaniemi, Beata (ed), "Competition Law and Big Data" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2020) 134

Book Title: Competition Law and Big Data

Editor(s): Mäihäniemi, Beata

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 9

Section Title: Is Google dominant?

Number of pages: 42

Abstract/Description:

This chapter analyses whether a definition of the relevant product market in Google Search investigations that had been offered by the European Commission was sufficiently precise. Did the Commission, in its decision, take into account the intended uses of products and services as well as their potential substitutes? Did it sufficiently acknowledge Google’s business model, the direction of potential competition in the market, and the fact that the product in question – information – is a credence good? What is more, the chapter analyses whether there is a need to use the SSNIP test in cases such as Google Search, and whether there are viable substitutes for Google’s services. Finally, it evaluates the sources of Google’s market power, such as barriers to expansion and entry, the infrequency of user multi-homing, and the lack of countervailing market power as well as Google’s own actions as the source of market power.