Apple's attempt to intervene in the Google Search antitrust trial has been denied by US District Court Judge Amit Mehta. The tech giant's emergency request to halt the trial, which could potentially dismantle Google's lucrative search business, was rejected on Sunday. Judge Mehta stated that Apple failed to demonstrate satisfactory reasons for its emergency motion to stay, filed on January 30th.

The remedies phase of the trial is set for April, where lawyers for the Department of Justice have argued that Google should be forced to sell Chrome, with a possibility of spinning off Android if necessary. Google's proposed remedies focus on undoing its licensing deals that bundle apps and services together. Apple claimed that it needs to be involved in the trial because it does not want to lose "the ability to defend its right to reach other arrangements with Google that could benefit millions of users and Apple's entitlement to compensation for distributing Google search to its users."

However, Judge Mehta's order stated that Apple "has not established a likelihood of success on the merits" for the stay, citing a lack of clear evidence on how Apple will suffer "certain and great" harm. The judge emphasized that Apple has not satisfied the "stringent requirements" for obtaining the "extraordinary relief" of a stay pending appeal.

This development comes after Google was found liable for holding an illegal monopoly on general search. The trial's outcome could have significant implications for the tech industry, with potential breakups of Google's businesses, including Android, Chrome, and Search. Apple's involvement in the trial was seen as an attempt to protect its interests, particularly its deal with Google to make the search engine the default on Apple devices.

The antitrust case against Google has been ongoing, with the Department of Justice arguing that the company's dominance in search and advertising has stifled competition. Google has maintained that its services are beneficial to consumers and that the government's proposed remedies are overly broad.

As the trial moves forward, the tech industry will be closely watching the developments, particularly in light of the potential breakup of Google's businesses. Apple's denied request to intervene may not be the end of its involvement, as the company could still appeal the decision or find other ways to influence the trial's outcome.

The implications of this case extend beyond Google and Apple, as it could set a precedent for antitrust regulation in the tech industry. The outcome may also have significant effects on the digital landscape, shaping the future of search, advertising, and online services.