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Google's parent company Alphabet faces a compensation claim of up to 13.6 billion pounds ($17.4 billion) for abusing its dominance in the online advertising market, London's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruled on Wednesday. The lawsuit, which seeks damages on behalf of publishers of websites and apps based in the United Kingdom, is the latest case to focus on the search giant's business practices.
The class action has been brought on behalf of publishers following claims that they are being harmed by Google's alleged anti-competitive behaviour. Of course, Google last month requested the CAT to stay the legal proceedings, as the case was not sub judice. Google's lawyers strongly denied the allegations in court documents. However, the CAT did not buy Google's lawyers' arguments and in a written ruling allowed the case to enter the trial stage. The trial is now likely to begin before the end of 2025. The tribunal also emphasised that the test for certifying a case under the UK's collective action system, which is roughly equivalent to the United States' class action system, is relatively low.
It is worth noting that two cases of anti-advertising conduct are also going on against Google in the US. One case is brought by the Justice Department and the other is brought by Texas and other states.
Battle for supremacy
Legal action for damages on behalf of publishers of UK-based websites and apps
Google had last month requested CAT to stay the legal proceedings, saying the matter was not sub-judice.
The tribunal also emphasised the test for certifying a case under the UK collective action regime
