Google's ongoing battle in Europe could cost it $6 billion

Google's legal troubles with the European commission could cost it 10% of its global revenue, or about $6 billion, if it does not alter its offer to settle complaints, a fine that would be larger than the nearly $3 billion fine levied against Microsoft.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Microsoft was investigated [by the EC] for 16 years, which is four times as much as the Google investigation has taken, and there are more problems with Google than there were with Microsoft," said Joaquin Almunia, the competition commissioner for the European commission.

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These comments show a dramatic shift in his position. Prior to June, he was ready to accept Google's third set of proposals, aimed at settling the ongoing dispute with the European commission that had been started in November of 2010.

In Europe, Google controls 90% of the online search market, a much larger share than in the United States.

The reversal by Almunia came after French and German politicians, lobbying groups and others became outspoken in their oppositions to Google's perceived monopoly.

Almunia, said that his new stance was caused by "new factual evidence," and not by  the outspoken criticisms.

He also added that the European commission may open investigations into Google's Android operating system-the most widely used smartphone OS in the world-and Google giving preferential search services to Google owned services like YouTube and the Google+ social media site.

"We continue to work with the European commission to resolve their concerns," said Google's spokesman, Al Verney.

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