MICROSOFT STEPPED up its rivalry with Google yesterday, claiming in its first complaint to antitrust regulators that Google systematically thwarts internet search competition.

The formal complaint to European Commission regulators marks a role change for Microsoft, itself the target of antitrust action for two decades in the United States and Europe.

“The filing of this complaint reflects one of the greatest ironies of antitrust history,” said Thomas Vinje, global head of antitrust practice at Clifford Chance, who led a coalition that won EU fines against Microsoft.

“Microsoft has learned from its own unpleasant experiences how to cause maximum disruption for its competitors via competition law.”

Microsoft claims Google engages in a “pattern of actions” that unfairly impedes competition.

Google is already under investigation by the European Commission after complaints from three small companies, one of them owned by Microsoft. – (Reuters)