(Media News) Judge Grants Media Partial Access to DOJ’s Google Antitrust Trial Documents

By Dave Van Zandt

Judge Amit Mehta has granted media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, MLex, and Law360, partial access to evidence in the Department of Justice’s antitrust trial against Google. The media organizations had filed a motion to intervene, citing difficulties in covering the trial due to restricted access to evidence and proceedings.

The court’s supplemental order allows for a single representative from the press to submit document requests by 7 pm ET on the day evidence is presented. However, the order limits the number of daily document requests to 10, requiring media outlets to prioritize their requests. The order aims to balance public access to the trial with the protection of confidential information.

Judge Mehta did not amend the existing agreement that allows parties to optionally post trial documents online. Instead, his order supplements it by setting specific timeframes for the release of requested exhibits. Documents with no confidential information must be released within two business days, while those containing confidential information from Google or third parties must be released within three and four business days, respectively.

The intervention by media outlets has led to increased coordination among them and the creation of a public Google Drive link where unsealed evidence will be made available.

Primary Source: Ars Technica

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