A US federal judge has ruled that Google does not have to sell its online advertising exchange, AdX, following a long-running antitrust trial. The decision, while a victory for the tech giant, means it will likely face different penalties, including fines and changes to its business practices.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and a coalition of states argued that Google had illegally used its market power to reduce the reach of competitors in online display ads. However, the court did not agree that Google had broken the law regarding the tools used by advertisers.

While the ruling may be seen as a win for Google, legal experts predict that the company will still face significant consequences. Fines and changes to business practices could affect the company's operations and set a precedent for Big Tech firms.

The ad exchange, which facilitates connections between ad buyers and sellers, represents a relatively small part of Google's revenue. However, the ruling may have sent a message to other tech giants that they cannot ignore antitrust laws.

Despite the mixed ruling, the DOJ's legal team will likely celebrate the court's decision, as it means Google won't have to sell its ad exchange. However, the exact nature of the penalties remains to be seen, and the parties will have 14 days to request redactions to the sealed order.