Alphabet’s Google must face trial over U.S. antitrust enforcers’ allegations that the company illegally dominates the online advertising technology market, a federal judge ruled on Friday.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, denied Google’s motion for summary judgment during a hearing, according to court records. Google had argued for a win without a trial, asserting that antitrust laws do not prevent companies from refusing to deal with rivals and that regulators had not accurately defined the ad tech market.
Court papers did not specify the reasons the judge provided at the hearing. Such motions are granted only when a judge determines there is no factual dispute to resolve at trial.
Brinkema is scheduled to preside over the trial on September 9.
“We look forward to setting the record straight,” a Google spokesperson said.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment.
The Justice Department and a coalition of states sued the tech giant last year, claiming it unlawfully monopolizes digital advertising and overcharges users. The lawsuit primarily seeks to break up Google’s digital advertising business to foster more competition.
On Friday, the regulators persuaded Brinkema to block a former FBI agent who acted as a cybersecurity consultant for Google from testifying as an expert at the trial.
Google scored a win in the case last week when Brinkema allowed the trial to proceed without a jury after the company settled claims that its conduct harmed the U.S. government.
