A federal judge has denied Apple’s motion to intervene as a defendant in an upcoming trial against Google over its alleged monopoly on the internet search market. The trial is set to begin in August 2025, and the judge ruled that Apple’s request was untimely.
In October 2020, Google filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging that it had monopolized the internet search market by making Safari browsers default on its devices. As part of this contract, Google pays Apple $26.3 billion annually for exclusive default status on Safari browsers.
On December 20, Google suggested to the judge that he allow it to continue paying for its default status, while also allowing other companies like Samsung and AT&T to set a different default browser on their devices and receive bids from other companies. However, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that granting Apple’s request would create significant delays in the trial schedule.
Instead of intervening as a defendant, the judge allowed Apple to participate as an amicus curiae, or friend of the court, and file post-hearing submissions to ensure its views are considered when crafting a remedial decree. The judge expressed concerns that if Apple had intervened earlier, it would have limited its ability to address certain issues related to its commercial relationship with Google and its customers.
The trial is set to focus on whether Google’s monopoly over the internet search market has harmed competition and consumers. The Justice Department has proposed remedies, including breaking up Google’s Android operating system and Google Chrome browser, but Apple argued that its intervention was necessary to ensure a fair and effective remedy.
Source: https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-denies-apple-effort-to-intervene-in-google-search-remedy-trial