WASHINGTON (7News) — The United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled today that Google has illegally maintained monopolies in multiple markets. The landmark decision could have far-reaching consequences, both for the tech giant and the industry as a whole.
“After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” D.C. District Judge Amit P. Mehta wrote in his ruling.
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Metha references figures that the company acquired by shelling out billions for exclusive contracts with web browsers and smartphones, giving the company “an 89.2% share of the market for general search services, which increases to 94.9% on mobile devices.”
“I’m proud to have worked alongside the Department of Justice and my state AG counterparts to secure this significant victory, which will help increase choice for District residents and consumers across the country while leveling the playing field for businesses that are playing by the rules,” said Attorney General Schwalb in a statement.
The Office of the Attorney General, along with 37 other state attorneys general, filed the lawsuit accusing Google of violating antitrust legislation with anticompetitive practices nearly four years.
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“Google’s business practices have long stifled competition and innovation in the lucrative online search markets, which the vast majority of people depend on and interact with every single day,” Schwalb added. “No company, no matter how large or powerful, should be able to maintain industry dominance by illegally thwarting its competitors”
The penalties Google will face for being found guilty of violating Section 2 of the Sherman Act will likely be lengthy, as the company is expected to appeal the decision.
In the meantime, Google faces more litigation. A federal trial brought by the Justice Department is set to begin in Virginia over allegations that Google’s advertising technology also constitutes an illegal monopoly.