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Google has been ordered to pay approximately $1.97 billion in damages to PriceRunner, the price comparison platform owned by Klarna, following a landmark competition ruling by Sweden’s Patent and Market Court.
Swedish court orders Google to pay PriceRunner
The case stems from the European Commission‘s 2017 decision that Google abused its dominant position by favouring its own Google Shopping service over rival comparison websites in search results. That ruling was upheld by the Court of Justice of the European Union in 2024, paving the way for compensation claims from businesses that argued they had suffered commercial harm.
PriceRunner, acquired by Klarna in 2022, originally sought around $8.3 billion in damages, claiming Google’s search practices unfairly diverted traffic and revenue over more than a decade. The Swedish court awarded approximately SEK 14.3 billion in damages—around $1.5 billion—which Klarna said equates to $1.97 billion once interest is included.
A Landmark Victory for Competition Enforcement
The award remains subject to appeal, with Google stating that it disagrees with the judgment and is considering its legal options.
Dan Greaves, Head of Communications and Policy at Klarna, welcomed the decision, saying it supports “a healthier, more competitive market for the way people compare products and services”.
The ruling represents one of the largest follow-on competition damages awards in Europe and reflects a growing willingness by courts to translate regulatory findings into significant financial consequences for dominant technology companies.
Beyond the immediate financial impact, the judgment is likely to encourage similar claims from businesses across Europe that believe they were disadvantaged by anti-competitive behaviour. As regulators continue to scrutinise digital platforms under tougher competition rules, the case highlights the increasing legal and commercial risks facing Big Tech firms operating within European digital markets.
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