Google hits back at Maurice Blackburn ad tech class action
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More news: Google has hit back at class action claims against its ad tech services from publishers, in a soon-to-be-filed lawsuit led by Maurice Blackburn and Phi Finney McDonald.
What they said: A spokesperson for the tech company said: "this lawsuit, led by Maurice Blackburn ignores the intense competition where ad buyers and sellers have plenty of choice and we look forward to making our case".
"Our advertising technology tools help websites and apps fund their content, and enable businesses of all sizes to effectively reach new customers. Google creates value for our publisher and advertiser partners in this highly competitive sector," the spokesperson said.
"Beyond this, Google is a major contributor to Australian publishers providing support for more than two decades through partnerships, products and programs."
Competing Google ad tech class actions face 'carriage contest'
The news: Lawyers in competing ad tech class action lawsuits against Google will make their case next month to Federal Court of Australia Judge Michael O'Bryan as to why their matter should proceed.
The context: A "carriage contest" between the similar cases, also known as a beauty parade, is expected to end in just one of the matters going ahead, as publishers seek compensation from Google over its ad tech practices.
Law firm Maurice Blackburn announced on Thursday plans to to file a joint class action with Phi Finney McDonald to the Federal Court by 14 February.
Maurice Blackburn client the Riverine Grazier and Phi Finney McDonald client Mornington Peninsula News Group are set to be co-lead claimants in the case.
Piper Alderman beat out both law firms in December to be the first to file a group claim over Google's ad tech practices.
Capital Brief flagged the likely "beauty parade" back in December — a process to decide which of the similar matters should proceed.
In today's procedural court hearing, O'Bryan said "there's an initial question as to whether the two proceedings are, on all fours, very similar, or how different they might be".
O'Bryan said that under the assumption the matters are "sufficiently similar" that only one can go forward.
An assessment on 4 March will take place before the court to consider the "largely overlapping" elements of the group claims, he said.
The source: Federal Court
