Alphabet Appeals Landmark Search Monopoly Ruling as Tech Stocks Rally
Google's parent company Alphabet filed a widely anticipated appeal against a federal court's monopoly ruling, triggering a legal process that could delay any structural changes to its search business until 2026. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals will review Judge Amit Mehta's August 2024 finding that Google illegally maintained search dominance through $20B+ annual default deals with Apple and Samsung.
Investors have rewarded the tech giant's legal maneuvering - Alphabet shares surged 56% since September 2025 when Mehta rejected the DOJ's call to break up Chrome while imposing lighter remedies. The appeal creates breathing room for Google to maintain its search advertising cash cow while advancing AI initiatives that analysts say could redefine competitive dynamics.