A U.S. federal judge has scheduled a jury trial to begin on September 9, 2024, in a lawsuit brought forth by the U.S. Justice Department and a coalition of states against Google (GOOGL.O). The lawsuit, filed in January 2023, alleges that Google abused its dominance in digital advertising technology, monopolizing the market and stifling competition.
The Justice Department and several states have accused Google of anti-competitive practices, advocating for measures such as the forced sale of its ad manager suite to address these concerns. Google, however, vehemently denies these allegations, arguing that a favorable ruling for the plaintiffs would impede innovation, increase advertising costs, and hinder the growth of numerous small businesses and publishers.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, presiding over the case in Alexandria, Virginia, set the trial date despite requests for an earlier July date. Judge Brinkema cited logistical challenges in scheduling a summer trial, prompting the decision for the September start.
Representatives for both Google and the Justice Department declined to comment on the trial date.
This lawsuit is not Google’s only legal battle concerning its ad tech practices. The tech giant faces another trial scheduled for March 2025 in a federal court in Texas, where a similar lawsuit from Texas and other states awaits resolution.
In a separate case, a U.S. judge in Washington, D.C., is anticipated to hear closing arguments in May. This case involves lawsuits from the Justice Department, Colorado, and other states focused on Google’s dominance in web search.
The forthcoming trial underscores the ongoing scrutiny faced by Google over its business practices and market influence, highlighting a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle between regulators and tech giants over antitrust concerns.