Google has avoided an antitrust jury trial by offering to settle with the US Department of Justice for an undisclosed amount to cover all monetary damages they were seeking. The tech giant claimed that the Justice Department fabricated claims for damages at the last minute to secure a jury trial in a case they described as highly technical. Google maintains its innocence and plans to defend its operations in court, but not before a jury.
The antitrust case against Google revolves around accusations of a monopoly in online advertising, with the Department of Justice alleging that Google acquired competitors, forced publishers and advertisers to use its tools, and manipulated auctions to maintain dominance in the digital advertising market. Despite the Department of Justice initially claiming damages in excess of $100 million, Google revealed that the amount has been significantly reduced to less than $1 million, which they argue is less than what they spent on experts for the case.
If Google’s attempt to settle with the Department of Justice is unsuccessful, the case will proceed to trial in September. Additionally, Google is facing another antitrust lawsuit regarding its alleged monopoly in online search, with recent arguments in that case concluding in a court in Washington, DC. Unlike the advertising case, there is no jury in the search monopoly case, and Google previously lost an antitrust case involving its Play Store to a jury decision.
Overall, Google’s decision to settle with the Department of Justice to avoid a jury trial showcases their strategy to navigate through multiple antitrust cases and defend their operations in court while minimizing the risk of adverse jury decisions. The tech giant continues to contest the accusations of monopolization in both the advertising and search sectors, emphasizing their commitment to legal defense and fair competition in the digital marketplace. The outcome of these cases will have significant implications for Google’s position in the tech industry and the regulatory landscape around antitrust enforcement.
Article Source
https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/21/google_offers_doj_cash/
