The creator of the well-known video game Fortnite Epic Games won a legal battle against Google in the US when a jury found that the massive search engine had engaged in unlawful monopolisation.
In 2020, Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming that the tech giant had unfairly given its app store precedence over competitors’.
Installing apps on devices using Google’s Android operating system is a regular task for the hundreds of millions of customers who use the store.
Google declared that it would contest the result.
However, Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic, expressed pleasure with the decision.
“Google has ceased to exist! The California jury voted against the Google Play monopoly on all counts following four weeks of substantial testimony,” Mr. Sweeney said in a post on Twitter’s old moniker, X.
He said that the court would begin to consider compensation arguments in January.
In a trial that lasted more than a month, the attorneys representing the two firms presented their closing arguments on Monday.
The jury reached a unanimous decision that was completely in favour of Epic.
Google is not backing down from its economic model in spite of the court’s decision.
Google vice president for government affairs and public policy Wilson White claims that “Android and Google Play provide more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform.”
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“The trial made clear that we compete fiercely with Apple and its App Store, as well as app stores on Android devices and gaming consoles,” he stated.
“We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain deeply committed to our users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem.”
Additionally, Google was accused in the lawsuit of imposing transaction fees on Android app developers of up to 30% and of merging its Play Store and billing service into one, requiring developers to use both in order for their apps to be listed in the store.
Consequently, the decision may grant developers additional control over how their goods are distributed and make money.
Google says that its commissions are some of the highest in the industry and that it offers extra services like malware protection, reach, and transaction security.
In the event that the decision is upheld, Google will have to permit competing app stores on Android-powered smartphones and lose revenue from in-app purchases.
In addition to its own PC goods, Epic provides games from other developers via its own app store.
It is a rival to one of the biggest international video game distribution platforms, Steam.
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