Microsoft Pressures Europe After FTC Google Verdict
Microsoft is making a last-ditch push to convince government regulators they need to crack down on Google to preserve competition on the Internet and in smartphone markets.
Microsoft laid out its arguments in a blog post Wednesday by Dave Heiner, the software maker's deputy general counsel.
Heiner mostly rehashed familiar ground, while depicting Google as a company that has abused its dominance of Internet search and leadership in online video to thwart its rivals to the detriment of consumers.
Heiner in the post described the FTC verdict as "troubling." The Windows maker went on to say, "The FTC's overall resolution of this matter is weak and — frankly — unusual. We are concerned that the FTC may not have obtained adequate relief even on the few subjects that Google has agreed to address."
(Read More: Google Pushed Hard Behinds the Scenes to Push Regulators)
Microsoft lobbed its missive as regulators in the U.S. and Europe wrap up wide-ranging investigations into Google's business practices.
After extensive negotiations with Google executives, resolutions of the probes are expected soon. Microsoft is worried Google will reach settlements that won't require major changes.
On Thursday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission closed its investigation against Google for antitrust violations. The FTC concluded there was no evidence of search results manipulation.
(Read More: FTC Finds Google Does Not Unfairly Favor its Own Services)
The focus now is on Europe. "The good news is that other antitrust agencies, within the United States and overseas, are still examining Google's conduct," said Microsoft's Heiner in the blog post. "We remain hopeful that these agencies will stick to their established procedures, ensure transparency, and obtain the additional relief needed to address the serious competition law concerns that remain."
