Federal judge dismisses Chegg and Penske antitrust lawsuits against Google over AI search features

Judge rejects traffic diversion claims

US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that the publishers failed to prove an agreement existed between them and Google. The court determined that a simple expectation of receiving search traffic does not constitute a legal contract under antitrust law. This decision means the allegations that Google coerced publishers into providing free content for AI Overviews were not supported by evidence.

Court notes publisher difficulties

Judge Mehta stated that the court is not unsympathetic to the financial situation publishers currently face. However, the judge wrote that existing antitrust rules cannot address the specific challenges these companies encounter now. The ruling clarifies that general search engine mechanics do not violate monopoly power standards.