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EU to Investigate Google Doubleclick Acquisition
the linux geek writes "Google is undergoing an investigation by the European Union for its $3.1 billion acquisition of internet advertiser DoubleClick. "We seek to avoid further delays that might put us at a disadvantage in competing fully against Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL and others whose acquisitions in the highly competitive online advertising market have already been approved," said Google boss Eric Schmidt. The United States' Federal Trade Commission has been reviewing the acquisition since May."
Sorry, even American companies need to obey EU law while doing business in the EU.
Companies that do business in a region or country are bound by the laws of that region or country.
Google is bound by US law -- but for the business it does in the EU, it is also bound by the EU. The EU can say, "If you want to do business here, you need to abide by our laws."
They can also say, "If you want to bring your monopoly here, you can pay X in fines for the privilege, or get rid of your monopoly."
"Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
IANAL but I think if Google plans to do business in the EU by selling online advertisement space to European companies and the EU decides that they hold a monopoly on such advertising than they will have to pay fines, or get rid of the monopoly. As you said I don't think the EU can stop the deal, but they can convict Google.
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Sorry about that, I'll get on that as soon as I can. I'm working on the First Post and Goatse problem right now.