10:37 AM EDT, 05/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Google's ( GOOG ) comment in fifth and sixth paragraphs)

Alphabet's (GOOG) Google ( GOOG ) is seeking a non-jury trial in the lawsuit filed by the US Justice Department accusing Google ( GOOG ) of anticompetitive practices in the online advertising marketplace, multiple media outlets reported Friday, citing a Thursday court filing.

In January 2023, the DOJ filed a civil antitrust suit against Google ( GOOG ), accusing the company of monopolizing multiple digital advertising technology products. The DOJ seeks the divestiture of Google Ad Manager suite, including both Google's ( GOOG ) publisher ad server, DFP, and Google's ( GOOG ) ad exchange, AdX.

Google ( GOOG ) said the DOJ's request for a jury trial deviates from historical precedent, adding the DOJ itself argued the technical nature of the case might be challenging for a jury to understand fully.

Google ( GOOG ) asserted the lawsuit overreaches the boundaries of antitrust law.

In a statement to MT Newswires, Google ( GOOG ) said the department "manufactured a damages claim at the last minute in an attempt to secure a jury trial."

"That's why the law warrants a judicial review of the evidence in this case," a Google ( GOOG ) spokesperson said. "As we've said, advertising technology is highly competitive, and DOJ's flawed arguments risk harming small businesses and raising advertising fees. We look forward to making our case in court,"

The DOJ did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Google's ( GOOG ) latest statement.

Alphabet shares rose 0.9% in recent trading Friday.

Price: 177.06, Change: +1.63, Percent Change: +0.93