In a recent landmark decision, a US district court ruled that Google’s search and advertising business is an illegal monopoly. While no sanctions were immediately imposed, the court’s 277-page decision clearly states that Google has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Google has stated that it plans to appeal the decision.
The court case, which began in December 2020, involved a nine-week bench trial, over 3,500 exhibits, and evidence reaching into the petabytes. Plaintiffs included the US government and the State of Colorado. The court found that Google had acted as an illegal monopolist to maintain its monopoly, particularly through anticompetitive deals with vendors to be the default search engine on their platforms.
US District Judge Amit P. Mehta concluded that Google is a monopolist and has violated antitrust laws. However, the court also declined to rule against Google in certain complaints, including the market for search ads. The case highlighted Google’s efforts to avoid creating a paper trail for regulators and litigants, raising concerns about evidence preservation.
The decision could potentially impact companies like Apple in terms of offering consumers more search provider options and mobile advertising revenue. The court’s ruling marks Google’s search business as an illegal monopoly, pending a potential appeal. Google has emphasized its commitment to providing quality search services and plans to appeal the decision.
Mark, a seasoned technology writer with over 30 years of experience, has covered various tech topics for publications like PCWorld and PC Magazine. He recently contributed over 3,500 articles for PCWorld, focusing on PC microprocessors, peripherals, and Microsoft Windows. Mark’s expertise in technology journalism has earned him accolades and awards throughout his career.
