The state has sued Google, looking to have its search declared a public utility, which would make its favoring of its own products, including its ad markets unlawful.
This is an interesting way of doing things, but I have no idea how likely that it would successful:
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a lawsuit asking a court to declare Google a public utility that should be regulated as such.
"Google uses its dominance of internet search to steer Ohioans to Google’s own products – that's discriminatory and anti-competitive," Yost said in a statement. "When you own the railroad or the electric company or the cellphone tower, you have to treat everyone the same and give everybody access."
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware County Common Pleas Court, is believed to be the first of its kind, Yost's office said.
………
Google disadvantages businesses and consumers by ranking its own services above competitors, Yost argues in the complaint. For example, if someone searches for a flight, Google Flights is the first result that pops up after advertisements, not other search sites such as Expedia and Travelocity.
The lawsuit does not seek monetary damages.
Even if they win, there will be years of appeals, but I would really like the State of Ohio to prevail.
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