Epic Games wins first victory in antitrust case with Google

United States District Court for the Northern District of California admitted Google is a monopolist that abuses its position in the mobile application market. Now the court may require the corporation to allow the downloading of applications for Android devices bypassing the Play Store and Google’s payment system, which will save developers from having to pay a 30% commission.

A jury on Monday sided with Epic Games on all counts in a lawsuit the game developer filed against Google more than three years ago. Then Epic introduced into its Fortnite game the ability to make in-game purchases, bypassing Google and Apple payment services. This was followed by the removal of the game from both online stores, and then lawsuits Epic to both corporations. Dozens of developers have sided with Epic, joining the Coalition for App Fairness. Already in November 2020 Apple announced about reducing the commission for developers with income less than $1 million from 30% to 15%. In March 2021, a similar step will be taken went and Google.

“Today’s verdict is a victory for all app developers and consumers around the world. “This proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal and that it is abusing its monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition, and stifle innovation.” statement Epic.

Google has already stated that it will “continue to defend the Android business model” and intend to appeal this court decision.

Read more about the conflict in the Kommersant article. “A battle royal awaits us”.

Kirill Sarkhanyants