Judge dismisses Chegg and Penske antitrust suits over Google AI search

US District Judge Amit Mehta dismissed antitrust lawsuits brought by Chegg and Penske Media against Google and Alphabet on September 30. The companies alleged that Google used its search dominance to obtain their content without payment and divert visitors through AI-generated answers.

Mehta found that the companies had not adequately alleged an agreement exchanging their content for search traffic. Their hope of receiving referrals did not establish such a deal. He also rejected their standing to pursue claims concerning Google’s maintenance of its search monopoly.

The dispute centers on publishers’ dependence on search referrals as Google increasingly supplies answers within its results. Mehta acknowledged the alleged damage to publishers and creators, but said economic disruption alone could not replace the requirements of antitrust law.

The court also declined to decide the remaining state-law unjust-enrichment claims after dismissing the federal claims. The opinion states that an accompanying final order can be appealed.