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A US appeals court upheld a jury verdict in the Epic Games v. Google case, declaring Google Play and the company's payment system to be illegal monopolies.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Google's dominance in Android app distribution is illegal, reinforcing a previous jury verdict in favor of Epic Games. Google is now subject to a three-year injunction from 2024 to 2027, requiring the inclusion of rival app stores and alternative billing systems in the Google Play Store. A technical compliance committee, appointed by Epic and Google, will oversee the implementation, ensuring competitors access Google’s app catalog while minimizing security risks. Developers will no longer be required to use Google’s billing system for in-app purchases. Market analysts predict that this could lead to a decline in Google’s app revenue by .5 billion annually. Google plans to appeal the decision and seek delays to prevent rapid changes. Advocates for the ruling, including Microsoft and regulators, view it as a significant step toward a more competitive mobile market.
Google must implement significant changes to its Google Play app store operations within 14 days following an antitrust ruling. The court has mandated that Google cease requiring app developers to use Google Play Billing, allowing them to direct users to alternative payment platforms. Additionally, Google must limit incentives for manufacturers and carriers to preinstall its apps.
In response, Google has sought an emergency stay from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has been granted, providing three additional weeks to contest the ruling. The judge has given Google eight months to create a system for including rival app stores. Immediate changes required by the injunction include:
- Ceasing the requirement for app developers to use Google Play Billing.
- Allowing developers to inform users about alternative payment methods within the Play Store.
- Permitting developers to link to external app download options.
- Enabling developers to set their own pricing structures.
- Ending revenue-sharing practices with manufacturers and carriers for exclusivity agreements.
- Collaborating with Epic Games to resolve disputes while establishing a framework for rival app stores.
Google has been ordered to make major changes to the Play Store and Android as a whole following a lawsuit with Epic Games. The changes include not sharing revenue with partners, allowing third-party payment methods, and resolving disputes with Epic Games. The changes must be implemented by August 8, 2025.
The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Google's attempt to undo a ruling that said the company unfairly controlled how Android users get their apps and make payments.
Google is required to provide alternatives to its Google Play store for app downloads on Android devices, following a ruling that upheld a jury verdict declaring Google's app store and payment systems as illegal monopolies. This decision is seen as a victory for Epic Games, which argued that Google imposed restrictive policies and engaged in anticompetitive practices. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that Google must allow competition in its app store, potentially opening the Android platform to third-party app stores. Google plans to appeal the decision, which may lead to significant changes in app distribution on Android devices. Additionally, a federal judge is expected to rule on necessary changes to Google's online search business due to findings of illegal monopolization in the search and advertising markets.
Epic Games initiated a legal dispute against Google and Apple over a 30 percent sales commission. A ruling by Judge Margaret McKeown upheld a jury's verdict, confirming antitrust violations by Google and supporting an injunction to change app distribution practices. The ruling indicates that Google's anticompetitive behavior has solidified its market dominance. Google is considering appealing to the US Supreme Court but has secured a suspension of a 2024 order during the appeal process. The ruling requires Google to stop enforcing its Play billing system, allow third-party payment options, and make its Play Store catalog available through alternative app stores. Additionally, Google must permit third-party app stores within its Play environment. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced plans to launch the Epic Games Store on Google Play following the ruling.
Sony has filed a lawsuit against Tencent over its game Light of Motiram, claiming it resembles Sony's Horizon Zero Dawn in setting, themes, and gameplay mechanics. Sony describes Light of Motiram as a "slavish clone" and is seeking monetary damages and an injunction against further infringement. The lawsuit follows a previous collaboration where Tencent promoted the game on PlayStation's Weibo account and a past meeting where Tencent pitched a game concept within the Horizon universe without disclosing its development of Light of Motiram. The game is set to launch on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5 and Steam.
