A U.S. judge, presiding over the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against Alphabet Inc.‘s (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google, has upheld crucial claims made by the federal government.

What Happened: The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit in 2020, alleging that Google used its market dominance to hinder competitors in the internet search market. Google had previously sought a summary judgment on all the government’s claims in the case.

In a decision disclosed in Washington on Friday, U.S. Judge Amit Mehta partially granted Google’s request, allowing some grounds while letting the remaining claims proceed to trial next month, reported Reuters.

This marks the most significant challenge to big tech’s power and influence since Microsoft Corporation‘s (NASDAQ:MSFT) antitrust case in 1998.

See Also: You Can Now Remove Your Personal Information From Google Search, Here’s How

While Google has denied any wrongdoing, Judge Mehta has allowed these allegations to proceed. “A company with monopoly power acts unlawfully only when its conduct stifles competition.” 

Google did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments. 

Why It’s Important: This development marks a significant step in the ongoing legal battle between the government and Google over anti-competitive practices in the tech industry. 

Mehta highlighted that Google operates the largest U.S. Internet general search engine, so pervasive that it’s recognized as a verb in dictionaries. Naturally, as the trial progresses, all eyes will be on whether the government can prove that Google’s actions stifled competition and violated antitrust laws. 

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