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Microsoft files EU competition complaint against Google


    SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp stepped up its rivalry with Google Inc on Thursday by filing a formal complaint with the European Commission claiming Google systematically thwarts Internet search competition.

    It is the first time MICROSOFT (MSFT.NQ)-- itself the target of anticompetition action in the United States and Europe -- has filed a complaint with regulators over competition issues.

    In its complaint, Microsoft claims GOOGLE (GOOG.NQ)engages in a "pattern of actions" that impede competition unfairly, giving numerous examples of what it believes are anticompetitive acts.

    Google controls more than 90 percent of the Internet search advertising market in Europe, well ahead of Microsoft's rival Bing, which is struggling to make inroads into Google's market share.

    Google did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on the complaint.

    (Reporting by Bill Rigby; Editing by Mike Nesbit)