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Epic Games has just gotten an important win in their antitrust lawsuit against Google. The jury’s unanimous decision marks a turning point in this three-year antitrust lawsuit. This ruling could potentially reshape the future of mobile app stores, particularly Google Play..
Google, however, is not ready to accept this verdict. Wilson White, Google’s VP of Government Affairs & Public Policy, stated their intent to appeal. White emphasized, “We plan to challenge the verdict. Android and Google Play offer more choice and openness than other major mobile platforms. We’re committed to defending the Android business model and our role in the broader Android ecosystem.”
This legal battle began in 2020 when Epic Games challenged Google’s app store policies. The company argued that these policies violated federal and California state antitrust laws. The central issue was Google’s insistence on apps using their payment system, thereby taking a significant portion of app revenues.
The case against Google was particularly challenging due to Android’s unique feature of allowing app sideloading, unlike iOS. Google’s cautious approach to third-party apps and their complex installation process made Epic’s victory uncertain. Yet, the jury ruled in favor of Epic, creating a surprise twist in the legal saga.
In their statement, Epic Games hailed the verdict as a win for app developers and consumers worldwide. “Today’s verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world,” they wrote. “It shows that Google’s app store practices are illegal and they exploit their monopoly to impose exorbitant fees, suppress competition, and limit innovation.”
Epic’s lawsuit is part of a broader movement where app developers are rallying against the dominance of giants like Apple and Google. Despite Fortnite’s vast popularity, it was caught up in this controversy, primarily due to the contentious app store policies.
The firm also pointed out ongoing regulatory actions, like the U.K.’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill, and the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which are aimed at regulating dominant software practices.
This legal milestone for Epic Games mirrors their earlier face-off with Apple, sparked by a parody of Apple’s “1984” advertisement. That legal encounter concluded with a mixed decision, leaning slightly in Apple’s favor but demanding increased openness in its software market.