Idealo lawsuit: Google ordered to pay 465 million euros in damages

In the proceedings, which have been ongoing since 2019, were long interrupted and resumed with the main hearing yesterday (file reference 16 O 195/19 Kart (2)), in which the price comparison service Idealo sued Google. A verdict has now been reached. The Regional Court of Berlin II announced this on Friday morning. The judges awarded the price comparison provider damages of 374,094,751.88 euros and interest of 91,126,641.82 euros, but a significantly lower amount than it had claimed. Nevertheless, this amounts to 465 million euros. Idealo had accused Google or its parent company Alphabet of years of anti-competitive treatment and demanded at least 3.3 billion euros in damages.

In their verdict, the judges followed Idealo's arguments in a crucial aspect but deviated significantly in the calculation of the damage amount. In yesterday's hearing, the judges of the 16th Civil Chamber had already indicated their view of the situation. It became apparent that the amount of damages might have to be lower from their perspective. Representatives of both parties were given the opportunity to present their views.

However, the legal treatment of Google's self-preferencing in price comparison services is likely not yet over with the verdict. The Regional Court of Berlin II expressly allowed an appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Google to pay another competitor 103.7 million euros

In a second, similar case, but with a smaller claimed damage volume, which was also heard on Thursday, the judges also ruled: The judges awarded the company, which is considered to have suffered damages from the court's perspective, 103.7 million euros (file reference 16 O 275/24).

(kbe)