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CONCORD - The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, along with a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice, has obtained a landmark victory in its search engine antitrust case against Google.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that Google engaged in monopolistic practices in the general search services and general search text ad markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
"This ruling marks a major victory for fair competition and consumer protection. The court's determination that Google has acted as a monopolist in the general search services and general search text ad markets underscores the importance of enforcing antitrust laws to maintain a competitive marketplace," said Attorney General John M. Formella. "We are currently reviewing the court's detailed decision and preparing for the upcoming remedy phase of the case. The ruling affirms our allegations that Google's market dominance and anticompetitive practices have stifled competition and harmed both businesses and consumers in New Hampshire and across the country by inflating prices and restricting market choices."
The court's comprehensive 286-page ruling includes the following critical findings:
- Monopoly Power: Google has been found to possess monopoly power in the markets for general search services and general search text ads.
- Anticompetitive Agreements: The court identified Google's distribution agreements as exclusive and detrimental to competition, notably through arrangements with major tech and mobile companies.
- Supracompetitive Pricing: Google's monopolistic practices have enabled it to impose excessively high prices for search text ads, resulting in substantial monopoly profits.
The ruling follows a 10-week trial and emphasizes the need for effective remedies to address the identified competitive harms. According to the AG's release sent late Monday night, a separate proceeding will now focus on how to correct the market imbalances created by Google's actions.
The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, along with the other participating state attorneys general and the U.S. DOJ, will collaborate to advocate for solutions that address past grievances and protect consumers by preventing future anticompetitive behavior. This effort will be particularly attentive to emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to ensure that the final resolution effectively restores competition and safeguards consumer interests.
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