Google Gets Win in Antitrust Lawsuit Over Maps Monopoly Claims

Alphabet Inc. scored an early victory against antitrust litigation over claims it exploited the dominance of its Maps software to lock app developers into the Google ecosystem and gouge them on other necessary services.

Judge Jeffrey S. White tentatively dismissed the proposed class action, giving the businesses leading the lawsuit permission to refile it. For now, the suit’s legal theories are marred by myriad fatal flaws, particularly the failure to establish that the Maps terms of service amount to “coercion,” the judge found.

White, writing for the US District Court for the Northern District of California, said the allegations also ...