US Judge Allows Key Claims in Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google to Proceed
A US judge has ruled that key claims in the antitrust lawsuit against Google made by the Justice Department can proceed to trial. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, accuses Google of unlawfully maintaining monopolies in the internet search market. While some of Google’s requests for summary judgment were granted, the judge allowed the remaining claims to move forward. This decision represents one of the biggest challenges to the power and influence of Big Tech since the 1998 lawsuit against Microsoft.
The case brought by the attorneys general of 38 states and territories against Google is also being heard by the same judge. However, Mehta dismissed accusations made by the states that Google made it harder for internet users to find specialized search engines. He stated that the states have not demonstrated the requisite anticompetitive effect in the relevant market.
Google, a unit of Alphabet, has denied any wrongdoing in both cases and expressed appreciation for the court’s decision to dismiss claims regarding the design of Google Search in the case brought by the states. The company looks forward to demonstrating at trial that promoting and distributing its services is legal and pro-competitive.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser welcomed the judge’s opinion, emphasizing the importance of establishing Google’s pattern of illegal conduct that harms consumers and competition.
Judge Mehta highlighted that Google, with its nearly 90% market share and the recognition of its brand name as a verb, operates the largest US internet general search engine. He noted that for a company with monopoly power to act unlawfully, its conduct must stifle competition. Furthermore, the government will need to demonstrate that each specific action taken by Google, such as how it handles search advertising, is a violation of antitrust law.
The lawsuit also accuses Google of illegally paying billions of dollars to smartphone makers, carriers, and browsers to be the default search engine. The judge allowed this argument to move forward, rejecting Google’s attempt to have it thrown out.
This ruling comes after a US judge in Virginia denied Google’s motion to dismiss another separate antitrust case focused on advertising technology, affirming the strength of the government’s case.
As the trial proceeds, it remains critical for journalists and the legal system to present a balanced view of the topic and incorporate different perspectives and opinions. Ultimately, the outcome of these antitrust lawsuits against Google could have significant implications for the tech industry and competition in the market.
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