Overview
- Idealo’s civil trial against Google began in Berlin with judges indicating any damages could be far below the €3.3 billion sought.
- Idealo alleges years of self‑preferencing for Google Shopping diverted traffic and revenue, and it requests extensive disclosure on Google’s traffic, revenues and profits.
- Google rejects the claim as overblown, arguing it implemented changes after 2017 and noting roughly 1,550 comparison sites now use its access system.
- The recalculated claim covers 2008–2023, comprising about €2.7 billion in alleged losses plus €600 million in interest, after an initial 2019 filing that was paused during EU litigation.
- Key issues include the period for any liability, causation and quantification of harm, with the case expected to continue through appeals over several years.