Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Federal Trade Commission Review Of Google

[U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following comment Thursday in light of the Federal Trade Commission concluding its review of Google’s Internet and business practices.]

“I am pleased that the FTC conducted an important inquiry into whether the Nation’s dominant Internet search company engaged in ‘search bias’ in a manner that constituted a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.  I am disappointed, however, that it relied on simple, voluntary commitments from Google to end certain practices that a majority of Commissioners found to have raised strong concerns about impeding innovation.  I understand that other antitrust authorities are continuing to examine related search practices, and I support the Commission’s decision to continue to monitor Google for conduct that may harm competition and consumers.

“I also appreciate that the Commission addressed the enforcement of standard-essential patents (‘SEPs’).  I chaired a hearing on the potential misuse of injunctions and exclusion orders based on SEPs last June.  I remain skeptical that exclusion orders or injunctions are appropriate in any circumstance other than when the infringer is unable or unwilling to pay a reasonable royalty.”  

#####

Press Contact

Press Contact
David Carle: 202-224-3693