Google’s efforts to dismiss the Department of Justice’s antitrust case regarding advertising technology has been denied by a federal judge in Virginia.
The case, which was filed in January, alleges that Google should be forced to sell its ad manager suite.
However, Google has denied any wrongdoing. Despite its arguments, Judge Leonie Brinkema refused to dismiss the case.
He said; “I’m going to deny the defendant’s motion to dismiss.”
Google contended that the government’s definition of the online advertising market was flawed and that competitors such as Facebook were erroneously excluded.
It also argued that the government’s estimation of Google’s ad exchange having “more than 50%” of the market was insufficient to claim market power, which would justify the lawsuit.
Google’s motion is the latest attempt by the tech giant to end antitrust lawsuits that are costly and time-consuming.
However, this denial means that the lawsuit will proceed. The company has also asked a federal court in Washington to dismiss claims in a separate 2020 lawsuit filed by the government.
The outcome of the case could have significant implications for Google’s business model, which is heavily reliant on online advertising.
The company’s dominance in this area has come under scrutiny in recent years, with regulators around the world investigating its practices.
The case could force Google to make significant changes to its ad business and could also set a precedent for future antitrust cases involving tech giants.
As the case unfolds, the world will be watching closely to see how it affects the online advertising industry and the power of dominant tech companies.
The verdict will be crucial in determining whether Google has engaged in anticompetitive behavior and whether the company’s business practices need to be restructured to promote competition.
