Landmark victory for Google in EU antitrust dispute, alleviating legal pressures

Decision against Qualcomm presents a different story

In the case of Qualcomm, the company managed to secure a marginal decrease in its EU antitrust penalty, reducing the fine to $266 million (€238.7 million) from the initial $270 million (€242 million), however, the court rejected its other assertions.

The penalty, imposed by the European Commission in 2019, was rooted in allegations that Qualcomm participated in predatory pricing from 2009 to 2011, selling chipsets below market value to outdo British software company Icera, presently under the ownership of Nvidia.

In contrast to the Google verdict, Qualcomm’s inability to effectively challenge its penalty illuminates a distinct array of obstacles, emphasizing the diverse regulatory concerns impacting various sectors of the technology industry, George mentioned. “In terms of its applicability to the semiconductor and chip markets, this ruling reinforces the extensive constraints these markets are likely to encounter, especially in relation to competition practices,” George stated. “Competition in the semiconductor sector might prompt companies to address issues such as predatory pricing and stricter antitrust regulations.”

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AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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