Claims against Google: competition damages (Google Shopping)
In June 2017 the European Commission fined Google for favouring its own comparison shopping service in search results. The General Court upheld the decision in 2021 and the Court of Justice of the EU dismissed Google's final appeal in September 2024 (case C-48/22 P). Price comparison sites and other businesses have since claimed damages in national courts.
- Comparison shopping services
- Businesses that ran comparison shopping sites in Europe have claimed lost profits caused by Google's conduct. A final infringement decision binds national courts, so these follow-on claims focus on the damage and its amount.
- Advertisers and other businesses
- Group claims have also been brought on behalf of advertisers and other business users, arguing that Google's conduct raised prices. Whether they succeed depends on proving the harm.
- Deadlines
- Under the Damages Directive the limitation period is at least five years and cannot start before the infringement ended and the claimant knew of it; national rules on when it starts differ. The final CJEU judgment of September 2024 is relevant to when time runs in many countries, so check the dates with a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to prove that Google broke competition law?
Not for the conduct covered by a final Commission decision: national courts are bound by it. You still have to prove the damage you suffered and its link to the infringement.
Are these claims funded?
Often. Litigation funders back many competition damages claims in exchange for a share of the recovery.