Microsoft to complain about Google’s alleged unfair practices to EU regulators

Microsoft Corp said it is filing a formal complaint with the European Commission about the share of the internet search market in the region for Google Inc.

Analysts say the software giant's move may trigger an expansion of an existing EU probe beyond internet searches to online video and mobile phones.

In a blog posting by general counsel Brad Smith, the Redmond, Washington-based company claimed Google

bars rivals from search boxes on web sites, hinders advertisers from transferring campaign data between search ad platforms and blocks phones running Microsoft's operating system from working properly with YouTube.

The complaint could lead to a widening of a probe started last year after a Microsoft unit and two other rivals complained that the company's dominance shrinks advertising revenue. According to Smith who cited data from regulators, Google has almost 95 per cent of the search market in Europe. 

According to legal experts, the allegations covered new and difficult ground and in the event of Google fighting back, the investigation could be long drawn.