These days, if we want to find information on something, we do not turn to the Yellow Pages or a dictionary. We simply “Google it.” Google has become a household name in New York and publishers want to see their names and ads show up on a Google search. However, according to one lawsuit, Google has a monopoly over selling online ad space.
The Daily Mail’s claim
The newspaper company The Daily Mail has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google. In its filing, The Daily Mail alleges that Google’s power over selling online ad space has caused traditional newspapers to gain little revenue from the content they publish. Per the lawsuit, Google controls a growing share of ad space, dampening competition among publishers and depressing prices. The lawsuit also claims that Google “punished” publishers who refused to comply with Google’s practices.
Google’s response
Google claims that the lawsuit is meritless and inaccurate. Google stated that its ad tech tools do not affect where a publisher’s website ranks in Google Search. Google also claims that publishers have a variety of options to sell ad space.
Learn more about business litigation
It remains to be seen what will happen in this lawsuit. What is important to know is that antitrust claims can be incredibly challenging and should not be handled alone. Those who want to learn more about business litigation in New York are encouraged to explore our firm’s website for further information.