Eight states have been joined by nine others in a lawsuit against Google LLC, claiming that the company’s advertising business violates antitrust laws.
In January, a lawsuit was filed alleging that Google utilizes its significant role in the provision of sell-side and buy-side advertising tools to negatively impact market competition. The suit claims that Google elevates the barriers to entry into the market to artificially high levels, leading to the departure of competitors from the advertising technology industry and, in certain cases, discouraging them from entering. Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Washington and West Virginia have joined the lawsuit with California, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia.
Related: In A New Filing Google Denies Destroying Evidence In DOJ Antitrust Suit
In a statement, the Department of Justice claimed that Google is monopolizing multiple digital advertising technology products in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
“We look forward to litigating this important case alongside our state law enforcement partners to end Google’s long-running monopoly in digital advertising technology markets,” Doha Mekki, principal deputy assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, noted as the additional states joined the lawsuit.
Google spoke out against the lawsuit in January, claiming that the “DOJ is doubling down on a flawed argument that would slow innovation, raise advertising fees, and make it harder for thousands of small businesses and publishers to grow.”
Featured News
Judge Mehta Questions Both Sides in Landmark Google Antitrust Case
May 2, 2024 by
CPI
FCC Urges Urgent Funding for Removal of Chinese Telecom Equipment from U.S. Networks
May 2, 2024 by
CPI
Former Pioneer CEO Facing Potential Criminal Charges For Colluding With OPEC
May 2, 2024 by
CPI
South Korea’s Antitrust Regulator Greenlights K-Pop Powerhouse Deal
May 2, 2024 by
CPI
Exxon’s Pioneer Purchase Approved, Former CEO Barred from Board
May 2, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI