TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A British Columbia judge has permitted a class‑action lawsuit against Apple to proceed to trial, alleging that a 2005 agreement with Google locked out competing search engines and cemented Google’s dominance. The case originally named Google, but an arbitration clause in Google Search Ads forced the plaintiff to pursue arbitration, which was never done, leading the complaint to be refocused on Apple’s alleged role in the “conspiracy.” Plaintiffs claim Apple agreed not to develop its own search engine, thereby enabling Google to become the default provider in Safari and to set high advertising prices. The lawsuit seeks damages from Apple for these purported higher ad costs, despite Apple’s later entry into its own internet‑ad business and the availability of alternative search options. No trial date has been set.