A PYMNTS Company

Advertisers’ Antitrust Case Against Google Dismissed

By  |  May 13, 2021

A US judge on Thursday, May 13, dismissed antitrust claims against Google brought by a group of advertisers, but offered them a chance to try again after addressing what she called “serious concerns” reported Reuters.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The ruling by District Judge Beth Labson Freeman in San Jose, California, marks one of the first major decisions in a spate of antitrust cases filed against Google over the last two years by users and rivals, as well as the US Department of Justice and state attorneys general.

    Labson Freeman said plaintiffs, including Hanson Law Firm and Prana Pets, that alleged Google abuses its dominance in digital advertising need to clarify which market they think it monopolizes.

    “The Court is particularly concerned that Plaintiffs’ market excludes social media display advertising and direct negotiations,” she wrote.

    The plaintiffs also need to better explain why Google’s refusal to support rival systems that the advertisers rely upon is anticompetitive, because antitrust law does not require monopolists to help competitors survive, Labson Freeman said.

    “The Court has serious concerns that some of Plaintiffs’ allegations rely on a ‘duty to deal’ theory of antitrust,” she wrote.

    Plaintiffs have until June 14 to amend their lawsuit, according to the decision.

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.