• by Ray Schultz , February 29, 2024

Axel Springer and Schibsted are among the 32 European media entities that have filed a $2.3 billion lawsuit against Google, alleging that its advertising practices have harmed them.  

"Without Google's abuse of its dominant position, the media companies would have received significantly higher revenues from advertising and paid lower fees for ad tech services,” lawyers from Geradin Partners and Stek said in a statement, according to Reuters. 

These companies have “incurred losses due to a less competitive market, which is a direct result of Google's misconduct," the lawyers argued. 

They added that “these funds could have been reinvested into strengthening the European media landscape.”

Google issued a statement to media outlets, stating: “Google works constructively with publishers across Europe – our advertising tools, and those of our many adtech competitors, help millions of websites and apps fund their content, and enable businesses of all sizes to effectively reach new customers.” 

It added: “These services adapt and evolve in partnership with those same publishers. This lawsuit is speculative and opportunistic. We’ll oppose it vigorously and on the facts.”

The publishers include Krone (Austria), DPG Media and Mediahuis (Belgium) TV2 Danmark A/S (Denmark), Sanoma (Finland), Agora (Poland), Prensa Iberica (Spain) and Ringier (Switzerland), CNBC reports. 

Also participating in the action are firms in  Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. 

The suit was filed in a Dutch court known for entertaining antitrust claims. 

In a development on Friday, Danielle Coffey, President and CEO of the News/Media Alliance said, “This case, together with the numerous other investigations and cases around the world, lays bare the damage that Google’s dominant position and anticompetitive practices have inflicted on publishers of all sizes. We must support steps to restore a truly competitive ad tech marketplace. The Alliance stands firmly behind our European allies.”

This story was updated.