Google, FTC Reach Settlement

Nineteen months after the U.S Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began its investigations into Google, it has found no evidence that Google unfairly favored its own services in search results.

On it's official blog, Google stated that "the conclusion is clear: Google’s services are good for users and good for competition."

However, the Mountain View-based company, founded by Stanford University grads Larry Page and Sergey Brin, will change some of its business practices that would improve the user experience. These includes an opt out of Google Search for websites and the ability for advertisers to export their ad campaigns from Google AdWords.

"Following its investigation, the FTC’s settlement with Google strikes an appropriate balance that protects consumers and preserves innovation," said Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. "At a time when the market for smartphones, tablets and other wireless devices continues to flourish, the settlement ensures that competitors will have access to the patents essential to powering these key technologies."

In a letter to the FTC last November, Eshoo and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) expressed concerns over the Commission’s antitrust investigation of Google.

"I’m pleased the FTC chose to complete its investigation of Google’s search practices with an enforceable agreement to protect consumers without impermissibly expanding the jurisdictional reach of the FTC," said Rep. Lofgren, senior Member of the Judiciary Committee.

According to David Drummond, senior vice president and chief legal officer for Google, the company has also agreed with the FTC to "resolve standard-essential patent disputes through a neutral third party before seeking injunctions."

"This agreement establishes clear rules of the road for standards essential patents going forward," he said.

READ THE FULL FTC REPORT HERE

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