The legal battle between Google and the US Department of Justice over its ad tech dominance is reaching a critical point. After years of arguments and evidence, it seems a decision on whether Google needs to split up its ad tech business could be coming sooner rather than later. I've been following this case closely, and it's fascinating to see how it's unfolded.

Basically, the Justice Department is accusing Google of illegally monopolizing the market for online advertising technology. The judge in the case has already indicated that Google holds a monopoly. However, the big question now is what the remedy will be. Will Google be forced to sell off parts of its ad tech business?

Google, of course, is fighting tooth and nail. Their lawyers argue that forcing a sale would be a drastic measure that would harm customers. I can see their point to some extent – massive changes like this can have unintended consequences. However, if Google is indeed wielding its power unfairly, something needs to be done.

The judge seems keen to act quickly. She even asked the Justice Department how fast an anti-competitive measure could be implemented. This sense of urgency is interesting because Google is expected to appeal any adverse decision. If an appeal is pending, it could delay the implementation of any forced sale.

The stakes are high. Besides the US case, Google is also facing a hefty $3.5 billion fine in the European Union for similar antitrust violations in the ad tech space. It seems that regulators on both sides of the Atlantic are taking a hard look at Google's power in the advertising market. What I find particularly intriguing is the potential global impact of these decisions. If Google is forced to change its practices, it could reshape the entire online advertising landscape.

It will be interesting to see what the final verdict will be and how it impacts the future of online advertising. Either way, it will be a landmark decision.