A U.S. federal judge ruled that Alphabet’s Google must face more than $3.2 billion in damages claims brought by publishers. The decision allows jury trials to proceed over allegations that Google monopolized the digital advertising market and harmed content creators’ revenue. U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel in New York rejected Google’s effort to dismiss the publishers’ damage calculations.
A class of approximately 5,000 publishers is seeking about $1.7 billion. USA Today Co., part of Gannett, is seeking roughly $900 million. Daily Mail is seeking roughly $600 million.
The case follows a federal ruling that Google illegally dominated the online display advertising market. Google says it will defend itself against the remaining claims in court.