Google must launch the Play Store. On Monday, US District Judge James Donato granted a permanent injunction, requiring the business to open its storefront to competitors for three years and make Android apps available in other marketplaces.
The decision follows Google’s four-year antitrust fight with Epic Games. Google announced on Monday that it will appeal the injunction, citing its competition with Apple and potential security issues.
As part of the verdict, Google must let third-party app shops access to the Google Play catalog. Furthermore, CNBC adds that the corporation must make such alternate software shops available for distribution on the Play Store.
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Google also cannot enter into agreements (via payments or revenue sharing) to launch apps exclusively on Google Play or preinstall its store on new hardware.
Billing adjustments will also result from the injunction. Google cannot push developers to use its own invoicing system. It also cannot prevent developers from telling customers about cheaper payment options.
According to CNBC, a three-person committee will evaluate Google’s compliance and technical difficulties in the wake of the verdict. Google and Epic will compose the committee.
When asked for comment, a Google spokeswoman directed Engadget to a blog post detailing why it will appeal. Google’s VP of Regulatory Affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, said that the company’s competitiveness with Apple helps to mitigate antitrust concerns.
“The decision fails to take into account that Android is an open platform and developers have always had many options in how to distribute their apps,” Mulholland wrote. “In fact, most Android devices come preloaded with two or more app stores right out of the box.”
“For example, Epic Games has made its popular Fortnite app available to Android users through the Samsung Galaxy Store, sideloading, and the Epic Games Store — all while Fortnite was not distributed through Google Play,” Google’s Regulatory Affairs VP wrote.
“These are options that developers have never been able to offer to their American users on iPhones.”
In December, a jury decided that Google’s Play Store violated US antitrust rules. The majority decision found that the business had an illegal monopoly on app distribution and in-app payment for Android smartphones. It also determined that its agreements with other gaming businesses and gadget manufacturers were anti-competitive.
Epic proposed a permanent injunction in April, which closely matched Donato’s conclusion today. For its side, Google stated at the time that Epic’s demands were excessive and self-serving.
The decision went in a significantly different path from Epic’s identical lawsuit against Apple, which the Fortnite creator largely lost. According to CNBC, Google’s trial was determined by a jury, whereas Apple’s lawsuit was decided by a judge.
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