Google moves nearer to search deal with EU

Google’s main antitrust fight in Europe is on course to end in settlement, after Brussels gave a favorable assessment of the US group’s improved offer to abide by legal restrictions when it presents search results. After months of speculation that talks were on the brink of collapse, Joaquín Almunia, the EU competition chief, announced significant progress that suggested a settlement would address his concerns about Google skewing results to its own advantage. Google’s latest offer to the European Commission closes loopholes and boosts the prominence and information provided in mandatory links to rival services, such as shopping or restaurant sites. Given the improvements, Almunia is open to pursuing a pre-charge deal, but the final decision will be subject to Google submitting data to show the effectiveness of the promises it is making. Rivals will be informally consulted during that process, but there will be no formal “market test” on the draft pact.