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2014 (4) TMI 586 - Commission - Indian LawsDiscrimination in search advertising and online search - Abuse of dominant position - CCI had ordered investigation into allegations of abuse of dominant position by Google by practices like search bias, search manipulation, denial of access etc and creation of entry barriers of competing search engines and Google engaged in dilatory tactics to prolong investigation - Non submittion of documents called for - Held that:- scope of the present investigations ordered under section 26(1) of the Act is very broad and encompasses various aspects relating to Google's policies with respect to online search advertising. Further, it is not limited to advertisers of any particular industry and would cover all who advertise on Google. Against this background, information sought by the Office of the DG with respect to the suspensions of Adword accounts of remote tech support advertisers, squarely falls within the ambit of the present investigation. In view of the sequence of events adumbrated above, it is evident that the opposite parties have failed to comply with the directions given by the DG in exercise of its powers under section 41(2) read with section 36(2) of the Act. The Commission is constrained to note that despite liberal indulgence shown by the DG to the opposite parties, the opposite parties engaged in dilatory tactics in order to procrastinate and prolong the investigations without any justifiable reason - Commission notes that no cause, much less any reasonable cause, was shown by the opposite parties save and except raising and advancing the pleas based on abstract propositions (broad and complex scope of investigations stretching to every facet of Google's businesses etc.) as noticed and detailed above. In fact, as noted earlier, the opposite parties have conceded the non-compliance with the requisitions made by the DG within the stipulated period - Commission has no hesitation in holding that the opposite parties have rendered themselves liable to be proceeded and punished in terms of the provisions contained in section 43 of the Act. When law casts an obligation upon the party to comply with a direction, the same needs to be complied with in the manner and the time stipulated therein. Further, it is trite to state that every failure to comply with the directions and requisitions constitutes a separate ground for imposition of penalties. In the instant case, as detailed hereinabove, it is manifest that the opposite parties have failed to comply fully with the various notices issued by the DG on different occasions. Despite reminders and opportunities extended by the DG, the opposite parties advanced frivolous and vexatious pleas to delay and avoid compliance. It may be noted that the period of failure to comply commenced w.e.f. 26.02.2013 in terms of the first notice of the DG dated 12.02.2013 whereby the opposite parties were directed to comply with the requisitions contained therein before the said date - fine of rupees one crore is imposed upon Respondent - Decided in favour of appellant.
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