United States of America: District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found Google liable for anti-competitive practices and monopolisation of digital advertising technologies

On 17 April 2025, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by monopolising two digital advertising technology markets, specifically the publisher ad servers and ad exchanges for open-web display advertising. The Court found that Google maintained its monopoly power in these markets through a decade-long pattern of anticompetitive conduct, including the unlawful tying of its publisher ad server (DFP) and ad exchange (AdX). Although the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Attorneys General failed to prove the existence of a separate market for advertiser ad networks, the Court held Google liable under Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act for monopolisation and unlawful tying. Following the Court's finding that Google is liable for antitrust violations, it will set a schedule for briefings and a hearing to determine the appropriate remedies.