Google offers DoJ cash to eliminate jury in web ad monopoly abuse trial

Facing an antitrust jury trial over claims it monopolizes online advertising, Google has chosen to do the most logical thing it can think of to avoid the case being heard by a jury: It's cut a check to the US Justice Department to get prosecutors to strike their damages claim. According to a federal court filing [PDF] in …

[jeff_w87]

Legalized Bribery

This is what legalized bribery looks like in America for the ultra-rich and Corporations. This should not be legal!

[DS999]

Re: Legalized Bribery

Clearly Google was worried a jury would say the amount isn't nearly enough and increase it, and antitrust judgements are trebled. The prosecutors may want to go along with it figuring they have other fish to fry, or because they are worried it would make them look bad if they go through all this then couldn't get a jury to rule in their favor.

[IGotOut]

Re: Legalized Bribery

Also they can be found guilty. Whereas bunging cash means they get away with it....again.

[Doctor Syntax]

Re: Legalized Bribery

The nature of the offer seems to be compensation so it appears to be a civil case. A guilty verdict would only apply in a criminal case. Even if a guilty verdict were an option then, as they're wanting it to be tried by a judge as opposed to not tried at all it wouldn't make a difference. Very likely the motivation is that by offering to concede the case before a judge they can avoid having the details of the case aired in public.

[v13]

Re: Legalized Bribery

Just to be clear, this is about ads. Not search, not browser, not Android, but ads. And for an amount that's less than the cost of layers.

But your point is true IMO, regardless.

[foxylady]

Re: Legalized Bribery

Good to hear the US Government got a check.

Now what about the millions of other Google advertisers who were overcharged? Will their checks be in the post too?

[foxylady]

Good to hear that the US Government was given a refund without a court hearing.

Now what about the millions of others that were similarly overcharged. Will their refunds be in the post too?

[Strahd Ivarius]

Monopoly in Search

didn't they manage to get it today with Bing's demise?