Apple is attempting to defend its lucrative $20-billion-plus search engine agreement with Google amid Google’s antitrust lawsuit, but the courts are not amenable. Recently, Apple requested an emergency stay to allow time for intervention in the legal proceedings, but the presiding judge rejected Apple’s motion, opting not to delay the case.
In November, Apple asked the court to allow it to be more involved in the case as the court decides what steps to take to prevent Google from continuing to violate antitrust law. The court said no, so Apple appealed the ruling, but it will take time for the appeals process to play out. While it waits on an appeal, Apple wanted the court to pause the proceedings, but the judge isn’t inclined to do so.
According to the court, Apple did not demonstrate that it will suffer “certain and great” harm that would justify a stay, nor has it adequately explained why it needs a bigger role in the lawsuit or what new evidence it has to present. The court also does not feel that Apple has proven that a mistake was made when its initial motion for intervention was denied. Further, the judge feels that moving forward is important to prevent Google from continuing with its antitrust violations.
Apple now plans to file a motion to expedite its appeal of the initial ruling barring it from further participating in the Google lawsuit. The remedies portion of the antitrust lawsuit against Google is set to begin in April, so the appeals process may have time to play out before then if Apple can get the case expedited.
MacDailyNews Take: File under “Things Not Going Well.”
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