A judge in Virginia has decided that a trial rather than a jury will determine whether Google violated federal antitrust laws regarding online advertising technology. The Justice Department had initially sought a jury trial, but Google wrote a check for over $2 million to cover damages claimed by the government, rendering the request for monetary damages moot. The judge ruled that the check from Google covered the maximum amount sought by the government and likened it to receiving a “wheelbarrow of cash.” Google stated that the case is meritless and aims to pick winners and losers in a competitive industry that has driven economic growth for businesses.
The case in Virginia is separate from another case in Washington, D.C., which alleges that Google’s search engine constitutes an illegal monopoly. While a judge in the District of Columbia has heard closing arguments in that case, a verdict has not been issued yet. Google has argued that the constitutional right to a jury trial does not apply to civil suits brought by the government, although the government disagrees with this assertion. The Virginia trial is significant as it could potentially result in remedies that include forcing Google to divest parts of its advertising technology, rather than just monetary damages.
The government’s claim for damages in the Virginia case was based on federal agencies purchasing online ads and alleging that they were overcharged due to Google’s anticompetitive conduct. However, the monetary damages sought were relatively small, less than $750,000. Despite Google’s payment of over $2 million to cover these damages, the technical discussion over quantifying damages continued at the hearing. The judge ultimately ruled in favor of Google, stating that the payment rendered the damages claim moot and eliminated the need for a jury trial.
Google’s dominance in the technology that powers online advertising has been the subject of antitrust scrutiny, with the government seeking to address concerns of monopoly behavior. The outcome of the trial in Virginia could have implications for Google’s future operations within the online advertising industry. The decisions made by the judge in this case will shape the course of the antitrust investigation and potential remedies that could be imposed on Google. The tech giant continues to defend its practices and industry contribution, maintaining that the case is an attempt to unfairly pick winners and losers in a competitive market.
