Google Appeals Landmark US Antitrust Ruling on Search Monopoly
Google filed an appeal on May 22, 2026, challenging a 2024 U.S. federal ruling that declared it an illegal monopolist in online search and search advertising. The company argues its default search deals with Apple and others were lawful competition, not anticompetitive. The appeal seeks to overturn remedies requiring data sharing with rivals, including AI companies like OpenAI. The case, which could reach the Supreme Court, is a pivotal test for tech antitrust enforcement.
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Google's $20B Safari Search Deal with Apple Was 'Fair and Square'
Google has filed an appeal against a U.S. federal ruling that declared it an illegal monopolist in search and advertising, specifically defending its $20 billion deal with Apple to be the default search engine in Safari. The August 2024 court decision found Google held monopoly power, partly due to this agreement. Google argues the deal was 'fair and square' and challenges the antitrust findings. The appeal, filed on May 22, seeks to overturn the ruling that could reshape the search market.
AppleInsider NewsGoogle defends its Safari deal with Apple in antitrust ruling appeal
Google filed an appeal on May 22, 2026, challenging the 2024 antitrust ruling that found it illegally maintained a monopoly in search and search advertising. In its filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Google argues that its long-running deal with Apple to be the default search engine in Safari reflects lawful competition, not anticompetitive exclusion. The company contends the district court made legal errors, including treating the browser agreement as exclusionary and defining search markets too narrowly. Google points to Apple executive Eddy Cue's testimony that Apple chose Google because it was a 'no brainer' due to superior quality and monetization, and notes that rival search engines remain available in Safari settings. The appeal seeks to reverse the ruling entirely, including remedies that limit default agreements to 12 months and force data sharing with rivals.
9to5MacGoogle Appeals Antitrust Ruling, Says Apple Chose Its Search Engine 'Fair and Square'
Google has appealed a 2024 U.S. antitrust ruling that found it violated antitrust law by paying to be the default search engine on iPhones. In a filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Google argued that its search success was due to competition on merit, not anticompetitive conduct. Google claims Apple freely chose Google Search for sound business reasons and that there is no evidence customers would have chosen a rival. Google is asking the appeals court to overturn remedies requiring it to share search data and syndicate results to competitors. Additionally, Google seeks to exclude generative AI companies like OpenAI from receiving its data, arguing these products did not exist during the period covered by the lawsuit. The remedies went into effect in February but implementation details are pending. Oral arguments are not expected until late 2026 or early 2027.
MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - Front PageGoogle Appeals US Court Ruling on Search Monopoly
Alphabet's Google on Friday appealed a U.S. federal judge's 2024 ruling that it holds illegal monopolies in online search and related advertising. Google argued that Judge Amit Mehta made legal errors, claiming its arrangements with device makers and browser developers did not prevent competitors like Microsoft's Bing from being promoted. The company stated it excelled fairly through innovation and shrewd business decisions. The U.S. Department of Justice is expected to file its own arguments in July. Mehta had ordered Google to share some search data with competitors, including AI companies like OpenAI, to restore competition. If Google loses at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, it could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Yahoo FinanceGoogle Appeals Landmark Antitrust Ruling Declaring It a Monopolist in Search
Google has filed an appeal with a federal appeals court seeking to overturn a landmark ruling that found the company violated antitrust laws by maintaining an illegal monopoly in online search. The appeal, submitted on Friday, also challenges a court-ordered requirement that Google must share certain data with its competitors. The original ruling, issued by a lower court judge, marked a significant legal setback for the tech giant and could reshape the search engine market. Google argues that the decision and the remedy are flawed, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle that may ultimately reach the Supreme Court. The case is closely watched as a potential precedent for antitrust enforcement in the technology sector.
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