Arbitration Court confirmed legitimacy of a fine upon “Google Inc.”

In November 2016 FAS held “Google Inc.” administratively liable and fined the company 500,000 RUB.

On 20 December 2016, Moscow Arbitration Court confirmed legitimacy of the fine upon “Google Inc.” Earlier FAS issued determinations against “Google Inc.” and “Google Ireland Limited” to hold administratively liable for failure to execute the determination within the designated period. Each company was fined 500,000 RUB.

On 20 December 2016 the Court heard the case against “Google Inc.”

In the course of the administrative investigation, FAS established that failure by the companies to execute the determination had resulted in deteriorating competitive environment on the market.

“Google” petitioned to the Antimonopoly Service on extending the period for executing the determination on the cases on violating the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”; however, FAS did not grant the petition.

On 18 September 2015 FAS found that “Google Inc”, “Google Ireland Ltd.” violated the antimonopoly law by abusing dominance (Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”) and issued a determination to eliminate the violation. The company, however, disagreed with FAS decision and filed a lawsuit. The Court of First Instance and the Appeal Court confirmed the rightness of FAS conclusions.

The Antimonopoly Service fined the company 438 million RUB for committing the violation.

“FAS determination outlines the actions that will direct the market to the competitive state, ensure stability and the balance of interests between market participants”, said Deputy Head of FAS Legal Department, Larisa Vovkivskaya.