Google has been found in court to be a monopoly, but there is to be a trial to plan how to remedy the situation, and the judge has now refused to accept Apple intervening, saying it waited too long.
The US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust lawsuit against Alphabet, the parent company of Google, reached a key point in August 2024. Judge Amit Metha ruled that Google is a search and advertising monopoly, and is in breach of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
Following this, the trial continued, and it is shortly to be followed by what’s called a remedy trial. According to Courthouse News, Apple filed a motion to defend its “property interest” over its contract worth billions of dollars with Google over search on the iPhone — and it’s been dismissed.
Apple reportedly requested permission to file a motion on December 23, 2024. However, Judge Mehta said that Apple should have known from the outset in 2020 that the case could “directly affect its contractual rights.”
“Apple knew (or should have known) that waiting two-and-a-half months to intervene in a proceeding scheduled to last just eight months altogether would constitute a significant delay,” he continued.
“Because Apple’s motion is untimely, the court must deny it,” wrote Judge Mehta in his full ruling. “The court, however, will permit Apple to participate as amicus curiae and file post-hearing submissions to ensure consideration of Apple’s views when crafting the remedial decree.”
“Apple does not dispute that it knew or should have known since this suit’s inception that its contractual rights would be directly affected,” continues the ruling. “Nor could it.”
Initially, Apple reportedly said that it wanted only limited intervention, and present witnesses who could address how proposed remedies would affect the company. Apple then later said that it wished to propose its own remedy, and more fully participate in the forthcoming trial.
There was reportedly also the issue that Judge Mehta believes allowing Apple to do this would mean all other possible parties such as Samsung, would follow. Judge Mehta intends to conclude the remedy trial with a ruling by August 2025.
Apple did provide witnesses during the original DOJ trial. It was revealed during that trial that Apple typically earns $20 billion annually from making Google the default search on iPhone.
This story originally appeared on Appleinsider
