In a landmark antitrust decision, a judge has determined that Google does not have to divest its Chrome browser or Android mobile operating system.

In a landmark decision, US Associate Judge Amit Mehta has ruled that Google, the tech giant, has violated US antitrust law with its search business. The ruling, announced last fall, has far-reaching implications for the tech industry, particularly Google and its competitors.

The court has barred Google from entering into or maintaining exclusive contracts related to the distribution of services like Chrome, Search, the Google Assistant, and its Gemini app. This means the company may have to try a little harder to entice consumers moving forward, amid heightened competition from rivals like OpenAI and Perplexity.

However, Google will still be allowed to pay partners to distribute its services, including its Search engine, on their products. A notable example of this is the deal between Google and Apple, where Google pays Apple billions to be the default search engine on its web browser. This deal is likely to continue, but with some conditions. Apple will be required to promote alternatives and enable easier switching for users.

The court has also decided not to force Google to sell its Chrome browser or Android. This decision comes after Google's concerns about how the court's requirements will impact its users and their privacy.

Google will be required to make search data available to qualified competitors. This move is expected to promote competition in the search market. It's important to note that by 2020, 95% of all US search queries on mobile devices went through Google.

The rise of generative AI tools has changed the course of this case, and ensuring Google's dominance in search does not carry over into the GenAI space was a key part of the remedies proceedings. The outcome of the case is seen as a win for Google overall, but the company may face increased competition in the AI space from rivals like OpenAI and Perplexity.

The trial put Google's core business under scrutiny, including its online search monopoly and online advertising business. The court's ruling recognizes the need for remedies to promote competition in the general search services market, a view shared by the Justice Department.

The ruling comes at a time when other major tech giants are also fighting antitrust cases brought by the US government. The decision is a significant step towards maintaining a competitive and fair market in the tech industry.

CNN's John Liu contributed reporting.

In a surprising turn of events, Perplexity, a rival company, made an unsolicited, far-fetched offer to buy Chrome last month. Whether this will materialize remains to be seen.

The court has accepted some of Google's proposed remedies in the antitrust case. The decision is seen as a win for both Apple and Google, particularly following a Bloomberg report that the two companies may partner to incorporate Gemini into Siri.

As the dust settles on this antitrust case, the tech industry awaits the next moves from Google and its competitors. The landscape of search and AI is set to change, and only time will tell how these changes will shape the future of these industries.