A federal judge ruled Friday that internet search giant Alphabet Inc.’s Google must go on trial to answer claims by U.S. antitrust authorities that it illegally dominates the online advertising technology market.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, denied Google’s motion during a hearing, according to court records.
Google had argued for victory without a trial, arguing that antitrust laws don’t prohibit companies from refusing to do business with competitors and that regulators haven’t precisely defined the ad tech market.
Court documents did not specify what reasons the judge gave at the hearing.
Motions like the one filed by Google can only be granted if a judge determines there are no factual disputes that warrant trial.
Brinkema is scheduled to preside over the case on September 9th.
A Google spokesperson said, “We look forward to setting the record straight.”
A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment.
The Justice Department and a coalition of states filed a lawsuit last year alleging that the tech giant illegally monopolized digital advertising and overcharged users.
The lawsuit is primarily aimed at breaking up Google’s digital advertising business to allow more competition.
Regulators on Friday persuaded Attorney General Brinkema to block a former FBI agent who worked as a cybersecurity consultant for Google from testifying as an expert at the trial.
Google won the case last week when Judge Brinkema allowed the trial to proceed without a jury after the company settled claims that its actions had caused damage to the U.S. government.
