Google Faces DoJ Lawsuit Over Search Engine Dominance
The Department of Justice (DoJ) is suing Google over its dominance in the search engine market. The trial began on September 12, 2023, with both sides presenting their arguments. Google's lawyer, John Schmidtlein, maintains that the company faces high competition and that being a default service does not guarantee a high market share.
The DoJ argues that Google maintains its monopoly through illegal default agreements, preventing competitors from entering the market. Schmidtlein countered that these agreements are common business practices and not necessarily harmful to competition. He noted that there are many specialized services and new technologies like generative AI-based search engines competing in the market.
Schmidtlein used the example of Windows browsers to illustrate that being a default service does not guarantee a high market share. He also argued that consumers are not locked into Google Search, as none of Google's actions have blocked consumer choice in search. The company has created a valuable product for consumers, he added.
The trial continues, with hearings scheduled to start on September 15, 2025, at the Mannheim Regional Court. The DoJ has compared this case to their antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, but Google's lawyer argues that the facts are different. The outcome of the trial will determine the future of Google's search engine dominance and its impact on the market.
