Rumble Files Second Lawsuit Against Google for Monopolistic and Anticompetitive Practices

Rhea-AI Summary

Rumble (NASDAQ:RUM) has filed a second lawsuit against Google, alleging violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act due to monopolistic and anticompetitive practices in its digital advertising products, known as the 'ad tech stack.'

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking over $1 billion in damages and injunctive relief.

Rumble claims Google has monopolized the ad tech stack by buying companies, representing both ad buyers and sellers, and running the exchange, creating conflicts of interest.

Additionally, Rumble alleges Google's practices include tying products to lock in customers and an agreement with Facebook to prevent competition.

This is Rumble's second lawsuit against Google; the first, filed in 2021, is still in active discovery.

Positive

• Rumble is taking a strong stance against monopolistic practices, which could position it as a leader in advocating for fair competition.
• Seeking over $1 billion in damages could significantly boost Rumble's finances if the lawsuit is successful.
• The lawsuit brings attention to Rumble's diverse operations, including video-sharing, cloud storage, and advertising exchange.
• Filing a second lawsuit shows Rumble's persistence and dedication to fighting anticompetitive practices.

Negative

• Legal battles are costly and time-consuming, potentially diverting resources from other business operations.
• There is no guarantee of success, and losing the lawsuit could result in financial strain and negative publicity for Rumble.
• Ongoing legal disputes may create uncertainty for investors, potentially affecting stock performance.
• The first lawsuit filed in 2021 is still in active discovery, indicating prolonged legal processes that could strain resources over time.

LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., May 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rumble (NASDAQ:RUM), the video-sharing platform and cloud services provider, today announced that it has filed a second lawsuit against Google for multiple violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act. This lawsuit is separate and distinct from Rumble’s first lawsuit against Google, which remains in active discovery.

In the new lawsuit, Rumble alleges that the massive technology firm has engaged in a number of anticompetitive and exclusionary practices across its range of digital advertising products known as the “ad tech stack.” Rumble filed the suit late Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and is seeking injunctive relief and damages in excess of $1 billion.

Rumble’s suit alleges that Google has monopolized the ad tech stack by buying companies up and down the chain, concurrently representing both ad buyers and sellers, while also running the exchange that connects those parties. The arrangement creates flagrant conflicts of interest and is analogous to insider trading in financial markets. Google has access to information that allows it to rig the system in its favor and extract supracompetitive fees from every transaction. By engaging in such anti-competitive practices, Google has effectively taxed Rumble’s success, which would be even greater than it already is were Google not employing such tactics.

Rumble further alleges that Google has maintained its monopoly through additional anticompetitive conduct, including by tying its products to lock in customers on both sides of the ad tech stack and by reaching an agreement with Facebook to prevent Facebook from offering competitive alternatives to Google’s ad tech ecosystem.

Because it operates several businesses in the same arenas as Google, Rumble is in a unique position to bring such a suit against the monopolist tech giant. Unlike other companies, Rumble’s operation includes a video-sharing platform, a cloud storage service, and an advertising exchange, which means that Google’s unfair practices are especially harmful to Rumble.

This is the second lawsuit filed by Rumble against Google, with the first accusing the search engine operator of favoring itself and another of its properties – YouTube – in its search results. That suit also alleges that it is unfair that Google applications, including YouTube, come pre-installed on Android-based devices. That first suit was filed in the same federal court in California in 2021 and is in active discovery, with a trial scheduled for May 2025.

Rumble is represented in this suit by Robert Dickerson of Competition and Technology Law Group, LLP and Mark Meador and Brandon Kressin of Kressin Meador Powers LLC.

ABOUT RUMBLE

Rumble is a high-growth video platform and cloud services provider that is creating an independent infrastructure. Rumble’s mission is to restore the internet to its roots by making it free and open once again. For more information, visit: corp.rumble.com.

Contact: press@rumble.com

FAQ

What is the new lawsuit filed by Rumble against Google about?

Rumble has filed a lawsuit alleging that Google engaged in monopolistic and anticompetitive practices in its digital advertising products, seeking over $1 billion in damages.

When was the lawsuit filed by Rumble against Google?

Rumble filed the lawsuit on May 13, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Why did Rumble file a lawsuit against Google?

Rumble alleges that Google has monopolized the ad tech stack, creating conflicts of interest and engaging in exclusionary practices that harm competition.

How much in damages is Rumble seeking in its lawsuit against Google?

Rumble is seeking injunctive relief and damages in excess of $1 billion.

What are the allegations in Rumble's first lawsuit against Google?

Rumble's first lawsuit, filed in 2021, alleges that Google favored itself and its properties like YouTube in search results and that Google applications come pre-installed on Android devices.

Who is representing Rumble in its lawsuit against Google?

Rumble is represented by Robert Dickerson of Competition and Technology Law Group, LLP, and Mark Meador and Brandon Kressin of Kressin Meador Powers