France: Ruling subjecting Google to €1.27 million in antitrust damages regarding online advertising market power abuse

On February 10, 2021, the Paris Commercial Court ordered Google to pay €1.27 million antitrust damages to the Oxone, a directory enquiry service provider, who filed a stand-alone claim on August 10, 2020 (Google/Oxone, Case RG 2020035242). Google was ruled to have a dominant position in the online search advertising market through Google Ads. Furthermore, it was stated that Google abuses its dominant position by setting up rules regarding advertising that are "neither objective nor transparent, and discriminatory". Such practice is forbidden under Article 102 TFEU and L. 420-2 par. 1 of the French Commercial Code. Google is thereby ordered to terminate their unlawful advertising practices. The decision is subject to appeal.