Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a significant court ruling where the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia determined that Google has violated the law by maintaining illegal monopolies within the digital advertising technology sector. This verdict stems from a lawsuit initiated in 2023 by Nessel, along with 16 other attorneys general, in partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"Google's longstanding efforts to squeeze out smaller companies or make them dependent on its advertising platform went unchecked for far too long,” Attorney General Nessel stated. “I am proud to have partnered alongside the DOJ and attorneys general from across the country to help level the playing field and restore fairness to the digital marketing landscape for small businesses and consumers."

The lawsuit highlighted that Google’s dominance in the market enabled it to control nearly every aspect of online ad sales. This control allowed Google to charge higher fees from advertisers and pay lower amounts to publishers, affecting consumers and web publishers. This market grip made it difficult for websites to monetize their advertising spaces adequately.

The decision, delivered by Judge Leonie Brinkema, found Google responsible for breaching antitrust laws by acquiring and maintaining monopolies in the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets for open-web display advertising. Furthermore, it was found that Google unlawfully tied its publisher ad server with its ad exchange, ultimately harming competition and internet users by enforcing anticompetitive policies.

The trial's second phase, which will address the remedies for Google's conduct, is yet to be scheduled.

The lawsuit includes the DOJ and attorneys general from Michigan, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.