NAB, Public Knowledge See Google Court Outcome the Same Way

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2025 – Two typically adversarial advocacy groups seem to have finally found some common ground following a court case in which Google was found to have violated antitrust laws.

The National Association of Broadcasters and Public Knowledge, both based here, agreed with the court’s holding Thursday that Google’s monopolization has stifled business. 

“Today’s decision affirms what local broadcasters and other publishers have long known: Google has used its dominance in the online advertising marketplace to disadvantage content creators and tilt the playing field. We commend the Department of Justice for taking on this critical case,” NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt said in a press release yesterday. 

Public Knowledge, usually at odds with NAB, echoed the group in its own April 17 press release.

“I am thrilled that Judge [Leonie] Brinkema has ruled that Google is a monopolist in the digital advertising space. This ruling is a major victory for consumer choice,” Public Knowledge Policy Council Elise Phillips said. “The judge’s ruling confirms that Google has abused its dominant market position to rig the market in its own favor, stifling innovation and shutting out rivals.”

Brinkema, who sits in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, ruled that Google illegally monopolized three digital advertising technology markets. 

The company was accused of subverting competition over a period of 15 years by monopolizing publisher ad servers that advertisers and website owners use to reach millions of customers.

NAB, in its response, differed from Public Knowledge by advocating for deregulation to help TV and radio station compete against Big Tech. LeGeyt argued that “the FCC, under Chairman Carr’s leadership, is taking steps to modernize its rules and [we] look forward to swift action that begins to level the competitive playing field.”

Public Knowledge has historically petitioned the government to minimize deregulation.

Brinkema’s decision followed a 15-day trial in September 2024, triggered by a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google filed by the Justice Department and the Attorneys General of eight states, including Virginia, in January 2023. 

Google plans to appeal part of the court’s decision, which the company described as “adverse.”