In a landmark decision, UK entrepreneurs Shivaun and Adam Raff have won a lengthy 15-year legal battle against tech giant Google, culminating in a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that holds Google liable for a staggering €2.4 billion fine, equivalent to approximately ₹26,000 crores.
As the founders of Foundem, a price comparison website, the Raffs have long claimed that Google’s search algorithms significantly hindered their site’s visibility and ranking. This fine was originally imposed by the European Commission in 2017, marking a pivotal moment in regulating major players in the tech industry.
The Raffs first observed issues with Foundem’s ranking on Google between 2006 and 2008, noting that other search engines provided more favorable placements. Despite being recognized as the best price comparison website in the UK by a notable tech show in December 2008, Foundem struggled to manage a surge in traffic due to its low Google ranking. Following a lack of response from Google, the Raffs escalated their complaint to UK regulators, US authorities, and ultimately the European Union.
Their case was part of a broader antitrust investigation into Google’s market practices, which uncovered that the company had indeed abused its dominant position. The European Commission’s findings, released seven years later, confirmed the Raffs’ concerns, leading to the substantial fine.
While the ECJ ruling represents a significant victory for the Raffs, the ongoing legal battle continues with their civil damages suit scheduled for trial in 2026. Foundem, unfortunately, ceased operations in 2016, leading the Raffs to reflect on their tumultuous journey, admitting they might have reconsidered their path had they anticipated the extensive legal hurdles ahead.
