A federal judge ruled that the antitrust lawsuit against Google will be decided by a judge and not a jury after Google paid back the full amount of monetary damages sought by the government. This case, involving Google’s advertising technology, is the first antitrust suit against a Big Tech company brought by the Biden administration. The Justice Department had sought a jury trial for the case, but the judge’s decision is a setback for them.
The DOJ and several states have accused Google of unfairly dominating the ad-tech market by engaging in anticompetitive practices such as mergers that eliminate rivals and pressuring publishers and advertisers to use its proprietary ad technology products. Google argued that the payment of $2.3 million to settle the government’s damages claim rendered a jury trial unnecessary, and the judge ruled in their favor. Google spokesperson Peter Schottenfels praised the decision and criticized the DOJ’s damages claim as baseless.
A hearing is scheduled for June 21 on Google’s motion for summary dismissal, which would end the case without a trial. If the motion is not granted, a bench trial is set for September. Google has maintained that the case is meritless and an attempt to interfere with competition in an industry that has seen significant economic growth. The company looks forward to presenting its case in court and defending itself against the allegations brought by the government and the states involved in the lawsuit.
The decision by the judge to proceed without a jury trial marks a significant development in the case, which is being closely watched as a test of the government’s ability to hold Big Tech companies accountable for antitrust violations. If the case goes to trial, it will be an opportunity for both sides to present evidence and arguments in support of their positions. Google’s successful efforts to avoid a jury trial may have implications for how future antitrust cases against tech giants are handled.
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and competition in the ad-tech market. The accusations against Google highlight concerns about the power and influence of Big Tech companies and their impact on competition and consumer choice. The legal proceedings will shed light on the specifics of the government’s case against Google and the company’s defense, providing insights into the dynamics of the tech industry and the regulatory challenges it poses for antitrust enforcement.
Overall, the ruling in favor of Google to proceed without a jury trial in the antitrust lawsuit brought by the government reflects the complexities of regulating Big Tech companies and the challenges of holding them accountable for anticompetitive practices. The upcoming legal proceedings will be closely watched as a test of the government’s ability to address antitrust concerns in the tech industry and the implications for competition and innovation. Google’s response to the allegations and the outcome of the case will have implications for the future of antitrust enforcement in the tech sector.
