Madrid, December 19, 2025 — Spain’s CNMC has accepted binding commitments from Google to address concerns over the remuneration of press publishers and news agencies, bringing to an end an investigation into a potential abuse of dominant position in negotiations over the use of news content.
The authority had been examining whether Google exploited its market power when negotiating licensing agreements with Spanish publishers for the inclusion of news content in Google Search, Google News, Google Discover, and Google News Showcase. The CNMC was concerned that Google may have imposed unfair trading conditions and taken advantage of publishers’ economic dependence on its services, which are a key gateway for users accessing digital news content.
The case was closed through a commitments procedure, known under Spanish law as a “terminación convencional,” which allows investigations to be resolved without a finding of infringement or the imposition of fines.
Transparency and Negotiation Safeguards
Under the commitments, which will apply for five years and may be renewed for a further five, Google must implement a more transparent and equitable framework for negotiating remuneration with all Spanish press publishers and news agencies, regardless of whether they have signed agreements in the past.
The CNMC said the commitments improve competition and help safeguard the right to information.
Key measures include an obligation for Google to explain the methodology and parameters used to calculate publisher remuneration, including relevant advertising revenues. Google must also establish a structured negotiation process with defined phases and deadlines, and provide access to dispute resolution mechanisms in line with Spanish law.
Publishers will be entitled to an annual update of the remuneration offered, with the option to accept revised terms or retain existing conditions. They may also request retroactive payment for the use of content dating back to November 4, 2021, when the relevant copyright provision entered into force in Spain.
Scope and Legal Protections
The commitments require a clear separation between negotiations for standard news licensing agreements and those relating to Google News Showcase, as well as independence from negotiations over other Google products and services.
Licenses will be limited strictly to the services covered by each agreement, and Google has committed not to enforce contract termination clauses against publishers that pursue legal claims. The company also agreed to submit contracts to Spanish law and jurisdiction, with Spanish-language versions prevailing in the event of discrepancies.
In addition, Google pledged not to retaliate against publishers that restrict the use of their content or choose not to reach an agreement.
Case Background
The investigation was opened in March 2023 following a complaint filed by the Spanish Reprographic Rights Center, CEDRO. The CNMC assessed whether Google’s conduct could distort market conditions and harm the public interest by undermining legal protections for publishers’ neighboring rights.
Because the case was resolved through commitments, the CNMC did not issue a finding of infringement or impose any financial penalty. The authority’s Competition Directorate has been tasked with monitoring compliance with the commitments.
Source: https://www.cnmc.es/prensa/google-terminacion-20251219?back=news
