Google Ad Manager. Picture: Shutterstock/IB Photography More than 20 European news publishers are taking legal action against Google seeking damages of £550m for adtech monopoly abuses. The case comes off the back of the European Commission handing Google a fine of €2.95bn (£2.55bn) last year for abusing its dominant position in online advertising technology. The European Commission said that any people or company affected by anti-competitive behaviour outlined by this case could seek damages, which would be considered separately to the fine imposed on Google. The publishers involved in the case argue they should collectively be awarded damages of more than €640m (£552m) due to the impact Google’s actions had on them. They believe they would have earned significantly higher advertising revenues and paid lower fees for adtech services if not for the fact Google had created a less competitive market. Publishers are taking part from the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Hungary, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. The case is being funded by Prague-based litigation funder LitFin, which will cover the costs even if …