Google seeks stay as it appeals US search monopoly verdict

Alphabet Inc.’s Google has filed a notice to appeal a US federal court ruling that declared it holds an illegal monopoly in online search and search advertising, that will delay the implementation to the company’s implementation of changes to the company’s business.  

The appeal was submitted on January 16, in Washington federal court which also requests a stay on certain remedies during the process.  

Along with the appeal, a request was put to hold the lower-court ruling while the appeal is pending. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals will likely hear the case later this year.  

The federal court, which hears many appeals related to the federal government, takes about a year to issue a decision after an appeal notice is filed, according to statistics compiled by the US Courts.

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The case, filed in 2020 during the first Trump administration, went to trial in the fall 2023.

Contrary to this trial,  US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled in August 2024 that the company illegally monopolized the search market through contracts with Apple Inc. and other smartphone makers such as Samsung Electronics Co. that required its search engine be used as the default.

Google argues the decision overlooks user preference, rapid innovation like AI search, and competition from startups. The company seeks to pause data-sharing and syndication mandates to protect privacy and innovation, but accepts other changes like shorter preload contracts.

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After holding a second trial in spring 2025, Mehta rejected a bid by the Justice Department to force the sale of Google’s popular Chrome browser. He held that Google can continue to pay for its search engine and AI apps to be the default option, but required that the deals be rebid every year to allow rivals more opportunities to compete.