Russian antitrust can force stubborn Google to obey at court

MOSCOW, Oct 31 (PRIME) -- Google ignores an antimonopoly service’s order to mend its breaches on the Russian market of preinstalled application stores, and the authority can suit it to force it to obey, the service’s Director Igor Artemyev.

“They are ignoring our order, avoiding its fulfillment. They’ve moved slightly on some minor matters and announced it. They are doing nothing on big matters of which we’ve accused them. They’ve submitted a cassation claim and thus are playing for time,” Artemyev said.

“We can ask the court to issue a new order to act. Then everything will be as we say. Besides, the company will face criminal responsibility for disrespect.”

The Federal Antimonopoly Service earlier found Google guilty of abusing its dominant position and forcing Android device manufacturers to install its application store, Google Play, in a tie-up with its other programs. The case was opened upon complaint by local Internet giant Yandex.

The antitrust watchdog slapped a fine of 438 million rubles on Google, or 9% of Google’s turnover on the local market of mobile applications in 2014and the date to pay the penalty expired in August. “We’ve never imposed the maximum of 15% so that there is some room to move,” Artemyev said.

The U.S. company asked for a delay, but the request was dismissed. The service said earlier it could fine Google up to 500,000 rubles for disrespect of the order.

The service and the U.S. company are also currently involved in court proceedings.

(62.9037 rubles – U.S. $1)

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