Google's Antitrust Violation Ruled by US Judge

In a landmark decision, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema declared that Google has violated antitrust laws. The tech giant was found guilty of engaging in anticompetitive practices to dominate the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets for open-web display advertising.

The Core of the Ruling

Judge Brinkema highlighted, "For over a decade, Google has tied its publisher ad server and ad exchange together through contractual policies and technological integration." This strategy, according to the ruling, allowed Google to not only establish but also protect its monopoly power in these markets. The judge further criticized Google for imposing anticompetitive policies on its customers and eliminating features that could have fostered competition.

Google's Stance

Reacting to the verdict, Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google's vice president of regulatory affairs, expressed the company's disagreement with the court's decision regarding its publisher tools. Mulholland announced Google's intention to appeal the ruling, signaling a prolonged legal battle ahead.

What Was Dismissed

It's noteworthy that the judge dismissed the plaintiffs' claim that Google monopolized ad networks, marking a partial victory for the tech company amidst the broader antitrust allegations.