Adtech company OpenX sues Google, accusing it of anticompetitive tactics that 'crippled' its growth

Core Viewpoint - OpenX has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging anticompetitive practices that have hindered its growth in the digital advertising market, seeking damages and fair competition [1][2]. Group 1: Allegations Against Google - OpenX's lawsuit claims that Google's illegal business practices have "crippled competitors like OpenX at every turn," preventing fair competition [2]. - The lawsuit alleges that Google has stifled innovation, harmed competition, decreased product quality, and caused significant damage to OpenX and its customers [2][10]. - OpenX accuses Google of coercing publishers not to work with them through illegal tying arrangements and rigging digital advertising auctions to favor its own ad exchange [10]. Group 2: Legal Context - The lawsuit follows a federal judge's ruling that found Google holds an illegal monopoly in certain online advertising technology markets [3][7]. - OpenX is the first adtech company to file a lawsuit against Google since the ruling, which determined that Google's conduct was illegal and anticompetitive [7]. - The court may potentially force a breakup of Google's adtech business, with remedies set to begin on September 22 [8]. Group 3: OpenX's Market Position - OpenX, founded in 2008, holds only a small percentage of the multibillion-dollar ad exchange market, and its publisher ad server was shut down in 2019 due to Google's conduct [9]. - The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, unspecified damages, and an injunction to prohibit Google's anticompetitive conduct [11].