Breaking News: Federal Jury Declares Google Play Store a Monopoly in Epic Suit

Google Plans to Appeal Ruling After Being Declared a Monopoly in Epic Suit

In a recent ruling, Google has been declared a monopoly by a federal jury in the Epic v. Google trial. This comes after Epic, the developer of the popular game Fortnite, offered players the option to purchase in-game currency at a discounted price, violating Apple and Google’s rules which allow them to take up to 30% of in-app revenue. As a result, both Apple and Google kicked Fortnite out of their app stores, leading Epic to take legal action against both tech giants.

Wilson White, vice president of government affairs and public policy at Google, stated that Google will appeal the ruling, emphasizing that Android and Google Play provide more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform. White also highlighted the fierce competition between Google and Apple’s App Store, as well as other app stores on Android devices and gaming consoles. Google plans to defend the Android business model and remain committed to its users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem.

The next step in the suit will take place next year, where possible solutions can be imposed on Google and its Play Store app storefront. This could potentially change how Google collects fees from developers or force Google to make it easier for Android users to access third-party app stores. Unlike iOS, Android currently allows users to sideload apps via a third-party app storefront.

It is important to note that in the Epic v. Apple lawsuit, Apple was not declared a monopolist by the judge. Both Apple and Google have argued that Epic profited from the visibility of their app stores without contributing to the costs of running the platforms.

This ruling will have significant implications on the mobile app industry, as it raises questions about the practices of major tech companies and the level of competition in the market. As Google prepares to appeal the decision, the tech industry will be closely watching how this legal battle unfolds in the coming months.