Epic has been embroiled in a authorized battle towards Google for just a few years now over allegations that the Play Retailer and Play Retailer billing was an unlawful monopoly. Now, a jury has dominated in favor of Epic, handing the corporate a significant win.
The US jury answered “sure” to all questions posed by the court docket (h/t: The Verge), particularly that the Play Retailer and Play Retailer billing was a monopoly, that Google engaged in “anticompetitive conduct” to achieve or keep this monopoly, and that Epic was “injured” because of Google’s aforementioned conduct.
The jury additionally agreed that Google’s offers with app builders (e.g. Venture Hug), the Play Retailer’s developer distribution settlement, and its offers with system OEMs have been anticompetitive.
Epic issued a press release on its web site, claiming that this was a win for builders and customers alike:
At the moment’s verdict is a win for all app builders and customers all over the world. It proves that Google’s app retailer practices are unlawful and so they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant charges, stifle competitors and scale back innovation.
In the meantime, Google shared an emailed assertion with Android Authority, confirming its intention to attraction the ruling:
We plan to problem the decision. Android and Google Play present extra alternative and openness than another main cell platform. The trial made clear that we compete fiercely with Apple and its App Retailer, in addition to app shops on Android gadgets and gaming consoles. We’ll proceed to defend the Android enterprise mannequin and stay deeply dedicated to our customers, companions, and the broader Android ecosystem.
The decide hasn’t selected particular treatments Google must take. Nonetheless, this has the potential to significantly shake up Google’s agreements with builders and OEMs.
