Why Google Was Found Liable
Last year, the judge ruled that Google illegally maintained its search monopoly by funneling massive revenue-sharing payments to smartphone makers, carriers, and browser developers in exchange for default search placement — a tactic that left Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo perpetually trailing.
His September framework called for sweeping but carefully moderated data-sharing obligations and rejected the DOJ’s request to force Google to spin off the Chrome browser.
Six Years, One Technical Committee, and Endless Disputes
Mehta set a six-year term for the injunction — one year for implementation and five for enforcement — splitting the difference between the DOJ’s requested decade and Google’s proposed three-year limit.
The judge then instructed both sides to craft precise language for the order. What followed was a blizzard of disagreements that brought the parties back before him.
“I don’t want to be a referee,” he said in October. “That part of my job ought to be left behind.”
Friday’s ruling suggests he performed that role anyway — exhaustively.
