Google Loses Battle to End U.S. Antitrust Case Over Digital Advertising – Brand Wagon News

Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google must face trial over U.S. antitrust regulators’ claims that the online search giant illegally dominates the online advertising technology market, a federal judge ruled Friday.

Court records show that U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, denied Google’s request during the hearing.

Google argued for a no-trial victory, arguing that antitrust laws do not prevent companies from refusing to do business with rivals and that regulators have not precisely defined the ad tech market.

Court records did not indicate what reasons the judge gave at the hearing. Motions like Google’s are only granted if the judge finds there is no factual dispute that could go to trial.

Brinkema is scheduled to preside over a hearing in the case on September 9.

“We look forward to clarifying the situation,” a Google spokesman said.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on the matter.

The Justice Department and a coalition of states sued the tech giant last year, claiming it illegally monopolizes digital advertising and overcharging users. The lawsuit primarily seeks to break up Google’s digital advertising business to allow for more competition.

Regulators on Friday persuaded Brinkema to bar a former FBI agent who served as a cybersecurity consultant to Google from testifying as an expert witness at trial.

Last week, Google scored a victory in the case when Brinkema allowed the trial to proceed without a jury after the company quashed claims that its conduct harmed the U.S. government.

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