The Spanish CNMC initiates disciplinary proceedings against Google and Alphabet

The National Commission for Markets and Competition from Spain (CNMC) has initiated a disciplinary proceeding against Google and its parent company, Alphabet, for abuse of Google's dominant position concerning publishers of press publications and news agencies established in Spain.

According to the institution, these practices consist of "the possible imposition of unfair commercial conditions on publishers of press publications and news agencies established in Spain to exploit their content protected by intellectual property rights".

On the other hand, they also point out that "the investigated conducts would also include practices that would constitute acts of unfair competition that could distort free competition affecting the public interest."

The opening of this case does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. Now a maximum period of 18 months will be opened for the investigation of the case and for its resolution by the CNMC.

Disciplinary proceedings 

The sanctioning proceedings opened by the CNMC were launched after the institution received a complaint from the Spanish Center for Reprographic Rights (CEDRO). Google would have infringed laws related to the Defense of Competition and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Google told the newspaper El País that it "works constructively with publishers in Spain and in Europe. We make significant investments through our products, programs, and financing. We will analyze the details of this case and answer the CNMC's questions.