Epic Games’s creator of “Fortnite” has won its antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit alleged that Google’s Play app store was operating as an illegal monopoly. Jurors unanimously agreed with Epic on all counts, which could have far-reaching consequences for the app store economy.
The trial, lasting over a month, saw Epic accusing Google of stifling competition and imposing excessive fees on app developers. This ruling, seen as a major setback for Google, could empower developers in how their apps are distributed and monetized.
Google has announced plans to appeal the decision. In a statement, Wilson White, Google’s vice president of government affairs and public policy, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Android ecosystem.
The verdict’s implications are vast, potentially requiring Google to allow more app stores on Android devices and impacting its revenue stream from in-app purchases. While not as profitable as Google’s search business, the Play Store is crucial as a gatekeeper to mobile devices.
Epic’s legal battle included allegations that Google illegally tied its Play store with its billing service, forcing developers to use both. The trial also revealed allegations of Google deleting internal messages to hide anticompetitive practices.
Google, however, maintained its stance of intense competition on various fronts against Apple’s App Store. Google’s legal team argued that their actions did not indicate a monopolist, citing efforts to compete with Apple, including lowering fee structures.
The outcome of this trial arrives amid Epic’s ongoing legal disputes, including a similar case against Apple, where a U.S. judge mostly favoured Apple in 2021. Epic has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to revive key claims in the Apple case.
On its part, Google has settled related claims from other companies and antitrust cases by U.S. states and consumers under undisclosed terms. The unfolding legal landscape highlights tech giants’ growing scrutiny and influence on the digital economy.
