In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Google and several U.S. states, a court has ruled that CEO Sundar Pichai and co-founder Sergey Brin must sit for questioning in a lawsuit concerning the tech giant’s digital advertising practices. The decision comes as a blow to Google, which had previously argued against allowing the states to depose its top executives.
The lawsuit, brought by Texas and other states, alleges that Google has engaged in monopolistic behavior in the digital advertising market. The states claim that Google’s acquisition of DoubleClick in 2008 was a pivotal moment in the company’s alleged efforts to dominate the ad server tools market for display advertising.
However, Google has refuted these allegations, arguing that Pichai and Brin were not closely involved in the DoubleClick acquisition or subsequent product development. The company has emphasized that other witnesses would be better suited to provide insight into the integration of DoubleClick.
Despite Google’s objections, the court has ruled that Pichai and Brin must submit to questioning by the states’ attorneys. This decision underscores the significance of the case and the states’ determination to hold Google accountable for its alleged anticompetitive practices.
The lawsuit is part of a broader legal battle facing Google, which includes antitrust lawsuits over its Play app store. The tech giant is preparing for trials in Texas and Virginia next March and September, respectively.
The case between the State of Texas and Google LLC is scheduled to take place in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys W. Mark Lanier and Ashley Keller, while Google is represented by R. Paul Yetter, Eric Mahr, and Daniel Bitton.
The decision to compel Pichai and Brin’s testimony is a significant development in the case and is being closely watched by legal experts and industry observers alike. The outcome of the lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for Google’s business practices and the broader digital advertising landscape.
The states argued that the inconvenience faced by Brin and Pichai is outweighed by the significant importance of the lawsuit. The trial, scheduled for March 2025, is taking place in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas under the case State of Texas et al v. Google LLC, No. 4:20-cv-00957-SDJ.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Pichai and Brin’s testimony will impact the case and whether the states will be able to prove their allegations of monopolistic behavior against Google.
