Alphabet Inc.’s Google is set to face a critical antitrust trial in September, as the U.S. Department of Justice seeks to impose remedies that could include breaking up Google’s advertising technology business.

U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema confirmed the trial date at a hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, following arguments from both the DOJ and Google regarding how to address the tech giant’s alleged dominance in digital ad tools.

The DOJ has accused Google of using its control over tools that online publishers and advertisers rely on — including its ad exchange and ad server — to stifle competition and maintain monopoly power in the multibillion-dollar digital ad market.

Prosecutors are calling for structural remedies, including the forced divestiture of key assets in Google’s ad tech stack, as a way to restore fairness and competition. This move, if enforced, could have significant implications for the digital advertising industry and the way ads are bought and sold online.

Google has pushed back against the charges, arguing that its technology supports publishers and advertisers by providing efficient tools that lower costs and improve outcomes. The company also maintains that the DOJ’s proposed remedy would harm the digital ecosystem and make online advertising less effective.

This trial represents one of the most aggressive antitrust enforcement efforts against a major tech company in recent years. It also follows a broader push by regulators in the U.S. and Europe to curb Big Tech’s market power, especially in areas like advertising, search, and app distribution.

As the September trial approaches, the outcome could reshape not only Google’s business model but also the broader landscape of digital advertising and online media monetization.