Views: 25
A new wave of advertiser pushback is gaining traction – this time through mass arbitration rather than a class action lawsuit. Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are organizing advertisers to challenge Google over alleged anticompetitive behavior in the display advertising market. The firm handling the claims is Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, a veteran in consumer litigation.
What’s the Claim?
The legal team argues that Google has illegally monopolized the display advertising ecosystem by:
- Acquiring competitors to limit market alternatives
- Restricting access to search and YouTube data unless advertisers use Google’s own ad tools
- Making its tech incompatible with rival systems
- Setting artificial price floors in ad auctions
These tactics allegedly forced advertisers to pay higher prices than they would have in a truly competitive marketplace.
Why Mass Arbitration?
Google’s ad program terms require disputes to be resolved through arbitration, not court. So rather than filing a class action, attorneys are launching hundreds (or thousands) of individual arbitration claims simultaneously – a strategy known as mass arbitration.
Each advertiser’s claim is filed separately, but collectively they send a strong signal of coordinated legal pressure.
What Could Advertisers Get?
There’s no guarantee of a payout, but successful claims under federal and state antitrust laws could entitle advertisers to up to three times their damages.
How to Participate
- You must have purchased Google Display Ads after May 27, 2016
- Your total ad spend must be between $5,000 and $543,000
- There’s no cost to join
- The attorneys only get paid if they win, taking a percentage of your award
You can sign up on this page to see if you qualify.
As the CEO and founder of Pubcon Inc., Brett Tabke has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of online marketing and search engine optimization. His journey in the computer industry has spanned over three decades and has made him a pioneering force behind digital evolution. Full Bio
Visit Pubcon.com