While the antitrust authorities in Brussels and the United of States have launched investigations into possible abuse of dominant position of Google, which is the French court on Wednesday pulled out the first conviction for that reason. The reason: the free supply of services Google Maps for businesses. The Commercial Court of Paris ruled on the Internet giant guilty of unfair competition to the detriment of the small French company directory Cartographers and imposed a penalty of 500,000 euros in damages and 15,000 euros in fines. Google announced it would appeal the ruling.

"This will trigger the wrath of all other applications Google"

"It's the end of a fight two years is an unprecedented decision," welcomed Jean-David Scemama, a lawyer for the company directory Cartographers that Google had assigned to court in 2009. According to counsel, "is the first time that Google is condemned for its Google Maps application." "Today, all the market needs to know. Google will not stay on a free market and this will trigger the wrath of all the other Google applications," said the lawyer. And he said, the ruling of the Commercial Court opens way for Google's competitors, large groups, but also to other small SMEs to attack the American and force it to market its services.

The Google Maps service are not those referred to the general public, but those developed for companies that integrate maps on their websites. "The map products created by the company directory Cartographies happen to be very similar to those offered by Google free Google Maps API (or application programming interface)," the court noted in its ruling.

"Since the creation of Google Maps, the group's strategy was to say the markets of search engines, I am in a state of abuse of dominant position, but instead on the rest as the Google Maps, I'm on an isolated market, "said Me Scemama. "But the connection between the two markets, and Google directory mapping was demonstrated by the Commercial Court." It also recognizes that a directory Cartographers "underwent a series of injuries is characterized by an undeniable loss of customer and revenue." The court also added that "the practice of free clearly intended to optimize the marketing terms of targeted ads."

Clearly, Google would seek to eliminate competition by providing free services to companies relatively expensive, in order to further capture maximum publicity.

For its part, Google said on Wednesday France "remain convinced that a mapping tool free, high quality benefits both users and for website owners. Competition in this sector remains real for us, both in France and abroad, "according to a statement from a spokesman.

The court also ordered the publication of the sentence in the daily Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, Le Monde, Le Figaro, La Tribune and Les Echos.

L counsel argues that Google Directory Cartographers "tried to maintain the service until the end, so much that they have tried just before the hearing to change their methods of sale".

This week has the distinction of being a shortened session on Thursday is a public holiday in the United States where we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, which should result in reduced volumes.

The spotlight will be on Monday in Washington, where 12 members of the "super-committee" Parliamentary expected fiscal consolidation to make public their proposals Monday before the vote on November 23.

The latest negotiations skating at the risk of a new block.Now it supports more austerity measures, which may satisfy the investors.

A RALLY POSSIBLE?

The S & P 500 yielded 3.8% over the last five session, ending the week Friday night's most mediocre in two months.

The Nikkei lost 34.31 points to 8,769.09 and the Topix, larger yielded 1.57 points (-0.21%) to 750.45.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou concluded an agreement with the opposition to form a coalition crisis supposed to approve the bailout of the country put together in late October in Brussels.

But in detail, both parties have provided little information on how this will unfold, including uncertainty about the identity of the future prime minister who will lead the coalition.

At a meeting of European finance ministers on Saturday, the president of the new European Banking Authority (BEA) said the country under aid program accounted for 38% of the overall deficit in the European banking system capital, it was estimated at 110 billion euros, it was told Reuters.

Another source confirmed the European project to include 46 billion pledged by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund for Ireland, Greece and Portugal for their banks, part of which has already been paid in this recapitalization plan.

"All the needs of banks of all countries in assistance is taken into account," it was said.

The subject has yet to be discussed again before the EU summit scheduled for Wednesday but the markets, who want to see European banks have as much capital to withstand the current crisis could react badly to such ads.

It would also have the effect of a large share of the burden of the recapitalization of banks Spanish, Italian and French, which, according to one source, account for 45% of the capital needs identified in the EU in recent inspections.

"The problem is that when you view the numbers shock, it is believed that the money is there," said one source, referring to the reluctance of European central bankers to publicly display the goals of recapitalization."But governments have no money," says one.

At Saturday's meeting, the ministers prepared a document delivered Sunday to Heads of State and Government with options for banks to grant new state guarantees to facilitate their search for financing in markets very tight.

Among the models examined, which will complement the movement of recapitalization, one that would be to coordinate government guarantees under the auspices of the ABE, has a good chance of being approved.

"At this stage, the preferred model", it was insured.

Coca-Cola has lost. The National Assembly approved Friday the establishment of a tax on soft drinks, the amount will be doubled from the initial project of the government. And it also introduced a tax on beverages containing artificial sweeteners, the lights, against which stood the giant soft drinks. The tax on soda, two cents per can, bring 240 million euros, half of which would finance the reduction of social security in agriculture, and the sweeteners on 40 million euros, said the Minister of Budget, Valérie Pécresse.

It is not Coca-Cola because of trying to oppose it by conducting intensive lobbying. The point that the UMP Bernard Reynes, the source of the amendment proposing to tax the lights, was pessimistic about the chances to see him go. "And I will not deny that it bothers me that the creations of law are dependent groups such as Coca" he admitted even to the expansion. Com shortly before the vote.

"One of lobbying juggernaut"

Drinks lights are in fact 60% of the revenue of Coca-Cola. Well above its competitors. Where the offensive of World No. 1 soft drink for the desired version of the tax. Mailings burst, increase in phone calls and requests for appointments, Bernard Reynes supports even have really been "harassed" by the group. "I had an unacceptable pressure. It is normal for multinationals discuss with MPs.But not how it happened. "

And it is far from alone in being surprised by the firepower deployed by Coca. Many players linked to the Assembly (lobbyists, MPs and their families) show a lobbying "huge", "scary", "pressing as is not permitted" and "the strength of a tank "the giant soft drink with parliamentarians and government.

"They call everybody! We have received phone calls from friends, Bercy for example, who did not care at all about this, but had been called for by Coca they are trying to convince us of abandon the project, "said a member of the cabinet of Jean Dionis du Sejour, Vice President (New Centre) of the Committee on Economic Affairs. Until the discreet meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and the President of Coca-Cola Europe, Dominique Reiniche, revealed Wednesday by Challenge.fr.

Promises to invest in France, threatens to leave, may give an anti-American image that may scare away other groups … This mixture of "caresses and threats" Coca has been confirmed by several sources MPs we interviewed. In the end, however, the U.S. group may have done too much … "If there is one lesson it is that of the lobbying juggernaut does not work," says Paul Boury, subject matter expert.

A "catastrophe", really?

The action of Coca has not been completely ineffective. The final version of the tax on the lights was indeed amputated 80 million euros compared to the original text. "But that Coke does not care, provides a lobbyist familiar with the matter on condition of anonymity. The group was even willing to pay 250 million euros to the government to abandon the measure.The principle of a tax on lights is a national disaster for them. It stigmatizes products. And a tax, especially in France, is always liable to change. "

The battle is not yet definitively lost to Coke. Valérie Pécresse, who did not support the expansion of the tax, received two separate taxes are adopted. This compromise, said the minister, can "legally secure the device", separating the tax on sodas "we know that the law is indisputable" and that on sweetened beverages, which it has less chance of pass "on the Constitutional Council." And it might explain the legal complaint "arbitrary tax" because not related to a vital public interest clearly identified.In fact, the argument of the national association of food industries, which already qualifies tax sweeteners to "unconstitutional". According to them, in fact, taxing sodas lights rather than any product has "no motivation."

The trade balance posted a deficit of 45.61 billion dollars, while the market was expecting a hole of 45.8 billion.

In July, the deficit eventually amounted to 45.63 billion (44.81 billion in the first estimate).

Exports were down 0.1% from July to 177.61 billion dollars while imports remained unchanged at 223.22 billion dollars.

The United States has accused a record trade deficit in relation to China, to 28.96 billion dollars against 26.96 billion the previous month.

In the morning, China announced that its trade surplus had declined in September for the second consecutive month, a statistic that reflects the weakness of the global economy and the slowdown in China itself, thus being factor decline in world stock markets.

President Barack Obama said Monday, Sept. 19 that the richest Americans and corporations should pay their "fair share" of taxes, with a plan to further reduce the deficit of 3.000 billion over ten years.

"We can not get out of this abyss only by reducing spending," Obama said in a speech in the Rose Garden of the White House."It is normal that we ask everyone to pay their fair share," added the president, the plan would be funded half by an increase in taxes for the rich.

The tax "Buffett", named after the investor Warren Buffett who proposed, would cover taxpayers earning over one million euros (about 725,000 euros). The goal, said Obama is the tax rate for the wealthiest U.S. taxpayers back to the level of the 1990s and the middle class pays no more, proportionately, than millionaires.

"This is not the class struggle is mathematical," quipped a very combative president, facing criticism from his Republican opponents who accuse him of wanting to punish those who have succeeded and discourage "creators jobs ". "Any reform plan will increase revenues to help reduce our deficit.

A 31 year old man was arrested Tuesday morning in London to a folder on unauthorized transaction, which could result in a loss for UBS in the third quarter.

The case falls even worse for UBS as the number one in the banking industry in Switzerland had worked hard to restore confidence undermined after being rescued from bankruptcy in 2009.

"This is all the more surprising that UBS had installed a system of tighter controls to address the problems that the bank had recorded with the subprime affair in the United States," said an independent analyst in Geneva.

"It's amazing that such a case could happen again after what happened with Société Générale and Kerviel affair," he adds.

In January 2008, Société Générale announced extraordinary transaction carried out by Jerome Kerviel.The unwinding of these positions had cost the French bank nearly $ 5 billion and was caused by departure of CEO Daniel Bouton.

The criminal case also reduces to naught the efforts led UBS to reduce its cost base. The bank had announced in late August it would cut nearly 3,500 jobs to save about two billion francs by the end of 2013.

This fraud could spell the end of investment activities, already under fire since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2007 because of huge losses it has caused within the group.

The investment bank has accumulated between 2007 and 2009 pre-tax losses of almost 57 billion francs.It has started its recovery in 2010 with a pretax profit of 2.2 billion.

HEAVY DAMAGE IMAGE

Fraud will provide arguments to those who argue for a scaling of the investment bank. "This case gives a new reason to significantly reduce this business and joins a long list that already exists," said another analyst.

Act that is all the more necessary as money management, which has kept afloat while UBS investment bank was taking on water, could be affected by the turmoil. "There is the risk of a material influence and affect future operating trends."

Others are more relentless."UBS will probably sell the investment bank, Oswald Grubel has no real choice, the credibility of this division is at its lowest. Reputational risk could affect the private bank in the short term," said Guy de Blonay in Jupiter Asset Management.

For most analysts, the investment bank will struggle to restore his aura. "The damage is sensitive to image," said a trader based in Zurich.

He added that the fraud case could result in a change of management, while Axel Weber, former president of the Bundesbank, to join the board of UBS in 2013 before taking over as President Kaspar Villiger;

An opinion shared by Peter Thorne, an analyst at Helvea. "Gruebele saved the bank and its task is done.It is a matter of time before his departure. But investment banking is a disaster and some will ask the head of Carsten Kengeter. "

Carsten Kengeter leading investment bank since November 2010 after being named co-director in April 2009. He joined UBS in December 2008.

The car, based on a flexible architecture provided by the partner Daimler, will probably not built by Daimler plants nor by those of Nissan.

Besides the goal of exceeding the Lexus brand of Toyota in Europe, Infiniti also hopes to avoid the effect of a strong yen.

"Lexus is paralyzed by the yen to 77 per dollar, that puts them on their knees," said one source.