Slapped with an antitrust lawsuit, the verdict a momentous decision that could chip away at Google’s firm control of its Android app store. A federal jury said Monday evening that Google violated antitrust law as its app marketplace is an illegal monopoly and is against the anti-monopoly laws.
The verdict on antitrust lawsuit against Google’s is for a years-long battle between Epic Games maker of the hit video game “Fortnite” and the technology giant. The verdict on Google play antitrust lawsuit marks a significant victory for critics of Google’s app store terms and practices. The jury found Google’s app store practices violate U.S. antitrust law and the search giant has illegally operated a monopoly in the manner in which it distributes Android apps and charges for them.
Google play antitrust lawsuit
Epic and Google had sparred for weeks in a closely watched federal trial over everything from the fees Google charges for in-app purchases to Google’s contract terms that restrict competing app stores from Android devices.
The jury decision on Google play antitrust lawsuit could represent a crack in the armor of app store operators. This is after years of successfully defending its platforms from anti-monopoly laws allegations by consumers, app makers and other critics of large technology companies.
“Victory over Google!” said Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney in a post on X on verdict for antitrust lawsuit against Google. “After 4 weeks of detailed court testimony, the California jury found against the Google Play monopoly on all counts.”
Google’s response to the antitrust lawsuit verdict
In a statement, the company said it would challenge the landmark verdict on Google play antitrust lawsuit that could lead to sweeping changes to the company’s app store business.
“Android and Google Play provide more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform,” said Wilson White, vice president of government affairs and public policy at Google. “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. We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain deeply committed to our users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem.”
Remedies after verdict on antitrust lawsuit against Google
With Monday’s verdict, a separate process in the case is expected to begin in the new year regarding possible remedies targeting Google’s app store, and could seek to change how Google collects its fees from developers or make it easier for Android devices to host third-party app stores.
For now, the outcome of the high-profile court battle stands in contrast to a similar case Epic has pursued against Apple over its app store. After being largely defeated on its most central allegations in the lower courts, Epic has appealed its case against Apple to the US Supreme Court.
Epic’s battle for antitrust lawsuit against Google
Epic’s challenge to app store operators for anti-monopoly laws as Apple and Google impose unduly restrictive terms and exorbitant fees for the ability to appear on their app stores. Epic had acknowledged in both cases that it launched a deliberate campaign, known as Project Liberty, to violate the companies’ developer terms.
Though Apple and Google have both maintained that their app store practices help ensure that software available through their platforms is safe and secure.
Google has also accused Epic of trying to benefit from the visibility and reach that the Google Play Store provides without contributing to the platform’s upkeep.
Google play antitrust lawsuit verdict a major victory
On Monday, consumer advocates argued the jury verdict on antitrust lawsuit against Google was a major victory “against one of Google’s most profitable monopolies.”
“This is a message that justice can prevail in the fight against Big Tech’s outsized power over our lives,” said Katherine Van Dyck, senior legal counsel at the American Economic Liberties Project, a consumer group advocating for aggressive antitrust enforcement.
