Beth Labson Freeman, the US District Judge, based in San Jose, CA, dismissed the antitrust claims of a group of advertisers and provided a reprieve to Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL). However, Beth allowed the group to clarify in which market Google monopolizes.
Prana Pets and Hanson Law Firm alleged that Google abuses its dominant position in digital advertising. The court noted that the market of Plaintiffs excluded direct negotiations and display in social media.
A significant decision
The judgment is one of the first significant decisions amid several antitrust cases filed against Google in the past two years by the state’s attorney general, the US Department of Justice, rivals, and the users.
According to antitrust law, monopolists like Google need not ensure the survival of their competitors. Therefore, the advertisers need to explain why Google refuses to support the rival systems depending on their business prospects.
Sets timeline of June 14 for an amended lawsuit
Beth expressed severe concerns on allegations raised by the plaintiffs because they depend on duty to deal theory. She permitted the plaintiffs to submit the amended lawsuit on or before June 14, 2021.
Google also faces antitrust lawsuits for its dominance in mobile software businesses and search. It could take several years for initial decisions in these claims.
Italy’s antitrust watchdog imposes a fine
Italy’s antitrust watchdog imposed a fine of $120 million on Google for abusing its dominance through the Google Play Store and Android mobile OS (Operating System).
The Italian regulator said Google uses its dominant position in controlling the ad developers’ reach on their users. Also, it said Google prevents the use of JuicePass by electric vehicle drivers to recharge their vehicles on Android Auto. Google favors the use of its maps instead of Italy’s Enel X’s electric-vehicle services app.
Bats to preserve work permits
Google is leading a group of 30 companies/ trade groups opposing the move to ban over 90,000 US Visa workers’ spouses from doing jobs in the nation. According to the contention of the organizations, stopping employment authorization for the spouses of workers in the US could result in financial havoc for their families.
The Washington-based federal judge will decide on the lawsuit that challenges the work permits tied to the H4 Visas soon.
