Apple's bid to intervene in Google search antitrust trial rejected
What's the story
US District Court Judge Amit Mehta has rejected Apple's urgent plea to pause the ongoing Google Search monopoly trial.
The judge said Apple did not provide enough reasons for its emergency motion, which was filed on January 30.
The ruling could potentially break a search deal between the two tech giants, estimated to be worth up to $18 billion annually.
Trial involvement
Apple's argument for involvement in the trial
Apple had argued its need to participate in the Google trial, saying it doesn't want to lose "the ability to defend its right to reach other arrangements with Google that could benefit millions of users and Apple's entitlement to compensation for distributing Google search to its users."
However, Judge Mehta found that Apple "has not established a likelihood of success on the merits" for the stay.
Motion denial
Judge Mehta's response to Apple's motion
Judge Mehta noted in his order that "because Apple has not satisfied the 'stringent requirements' for obtaining the 'extraordinary relief' of a stay pending appeal, its motion is denied."
He further clarified that Apple had not provided clear evidence on how it would suffer "certain and great" harm.
This ruling comes as Google was found guilty last year of maintaining an illegal monopoly on general search.
Trial consequences
Potential implications of the trial's remedies phase
The remedies phase of the trial is set for April.
In this phase, Department of Justice attorneys have proposed that Google should be forced to sell Chrome and even spin off Android if necessary.
While Google plans to appeal the decision, its proposed remedies largely include ending its licensing agreements bundling apps and services together.