Computerworld.com reported that “In a landmark decision, a US District Judge has ruled that Google illegally monopolized the ad tech market. A federal judge in Virginia has found that the tech giant established “monopoly power” for two online advertising markets: publisher ad servers and ad exchanges that sit between buyers and sellers.” The April 17, 2025 article entitled “Google ruled an online ad monopoly, could be forced to break up its advertising products” (https://www.computerworld.com/article/3965047/google-ruled-an-online-ad-monopoly-could-be-forced-to-break-up-its-advertising-products.html?utm_campaign=editorial&utm_medium=browser_alert&utm_source=subscribers) included these comments:
The ruling in the second-largest antitrust case of the century could mean that Google will have to break up its advertising products or change its business practices.
Google is said to have earned nearly $265 billion in 2024 alone through ad placement and sales. The company has said it will appeal the decision.
Google was previously the center of the century’s largest antitrust case, and was found guilty of being a “monopolist” with its search business. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has made it clear that it wants the company to sell off its Chrome browser. That issue goes to trial next week.
Thursday’s ruling will likely have a significant impact on the ad tech market, not to mention on Google’s business model and structure. That being said, the lengthy appeals process means the market isn’t going to feel seismic changes anytime soon.
No rush to change the Internet marketplace as this case will clearly be in the courts for years to come!
First published at https://www.vogelitlaw.com/blog/no-surprise-that-a-trial-judge-rules-that-google-is-online-ad-monopoly