Google Maps: 500.000 euro di multa in Francia

La Francia, con una sentenza storica condanna Google France al pagamento di una multa di 500.000 euro per aver reso disponibile “gratuitamente” la piattaforma Google Maps :

A Parisian commercial court has upheld a lower court’s ruling against Google France, ordering the company to pay a fine of €500,000 for giving away its maps services. The plaintiff, Bottin Cartographes, claims that Google leveraged the market share of its Maps platform – and the fact that it’s free – to undercut and stifle competition attempting to sell their topographical wares. “We proved the illegality of [Google’s] strategy,” said Bottin’s counsel, noting that this was the first time Google has been convicted of malfeasance for this particular piece of software in the country. A representative from the search giant said it plans to appeal the decision, and reiterated the company’s belief that competition exists in the space. ”. (link qui)

In pratica secondo la tesi di Bottin Cartographes il motore di ricerca farebbe competizione illegittima/illecita ai business locali ad un prezzo, il “gratis”, difficilmente superabile. Tesi accolta dal giudice.