Epic Games, the company behind the hugely popular game Fortnite, has scored a significant legal victory against Google. The crux of the lawsuit revolved around claims that Google had been using its dominant position in the app store market to engage in unfair practices.
The verdict, reached by the jury, was clear and unanimous. They found that Google indeed holds monopoly power in the markets for Android app distribution and in-app billing services. The jury concluded that Google’s actions in these markets were not only anticompetitive but also harmful to companies like Epic Games. This decision marks a turning point in how digital marketplaces might be regulated and operated in the future.
Key findings of the jury included the determination that Google had unlawfully linked its Google Play app store with its Google Play Billing services. Additionally, various agreements Google had in place, such as their Project Hug deals with game developers and arrangements with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), were deemed anticompetitive.
Following the verdict, Google’s VP of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Wilson White, expressed the company’s intention to appeal. White emphasized the competitive nature of the app store market, pointing out the competition they face not just from Apple but also from other app stores on Android devices and gaming consoles.
On the flip side, Epic Games celebrated the verdict as a victory not just for themselves but for app developers and consumers globally. In a statement on their company blog, Epic Games highlighted the ruling as a confirmation of Google’s illegal practices in the app store domain, criticizing Google for using its position to impose high fees, limit competition, and hinder innovation.
