Google has efficiently maneuvered to have its adtech antitrust case heard by a choose somewhat than a jury, doubtlessly lowering unpredictability within the high-stakes lawsuit.
Driving the information. Google submitted a $2.3 million cashier’s verify to cowl potential damages, successfully eradicating the financial facet of the case and securing a bench trial.
- The case, introduced by the Justice Division and eight states, is now set for a bench trial on Sept. 9.
- The lawsuit seeks to interrupt up Google’s internet marketing enterprise.
Why we care. This replace within the antitrust lawsuit represents a major step in a case that might reshape one of many world’s most influential corporations and the digital promoting panorama as an entire. With it being a bench trial as nicely, advertisers will unlikely have to attend so long as if it had been a jury trial due to this fact seeing the consequences of the choice rather a lot faster, if any in any respect.
Why it issues. This can be a setback for the Justice Division, which had pushed for a jury trial on this first antitrust swimsuit towards a Huge Tech firm introduced by the Biden administration.
Between the traces. Google argued that antitrust legal guidelines don’t forestall corporations from refusing to cope with rivals and that the federal government hadn’t confirmed its market dominance.
- The choose additionally blocked a former FBI agent, who had consulted for Google on cybersecurity, from testifying as an professional for the corporate.
Background. Right here’s how we ended up right here:
- Google preemptively paid damages to the U.S. authorities, Reuters reported on Could 20.
- A choose determined that Google’s destiny can be determined by a choose somewhat than a jury, the AP and others reported on June 7.
What’s subsequent. The trial begins on Sept. 9, with important implications for Google’s promoting know-how enterprise.
The underside line. This case is a part of a broader authorized panorama for Google, together with:
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