US judge throws out publishers’ antitrust case over Google AI search features
A US federal judge has dismissed antitrust lawsuits brought by Chegg and Penske Media Corporation, which argued that Google’s AI search features were diverting visitors and damaging publishers’ revenue. Judge Amit Mehta ruled that their claims did not establish an antitrust violation, saying publishers’ expectation of receiving search traffic was not an agreement with Google.
The companies alleged Google pressured publishers to provide material for AI Overviews without payment or risk losing visibility in search results. Mehta acknowledged publishers’ difficulties but said competition law could not substitute for legislative action on the economic effects of new technology. The decision comes as publishers report falling traffic; a reported Google pilot is paying around 100 publishers for material used in AI Overviews, AI Mode and Gemini.
- Judge dismisses Chegg and Penske’s antitrust cases against Google.
- Publishers said AI search features reduced traffic and revenue.
- Google is reportedly paying around 100 publishers in a pilot.
New here? Start with this
Google has introduced artificial intelligence features in its search results that answer user queries directly without requiring users to visit other websites. These AI-generated summaries appear at the top of results, using information found online but reducing the traffic that publishers' sites receive.
A group of publishers took legal action against Google, arguing the company was using their content unfairly to power these AI search features. They claimed Google was pressuring them to provide material without payment, threatening to reduce their visibility in search results if they refused.
The case raised questions about how tech companies should treat traditional media and publishers in the age of artificial intelligence. It reflected tension between the interests of publishers, who rely on web traffic for revenue, and tech giants that provide access to information.
AI Americas Business Companies Technology World
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Verge as “Judge dismisses antitrust lawsuits over Google’s AI Overviews”.