Fortnite-maker Epic Games wins major victory as court upholds Google Play Store monopoly ruling
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
has rejected Google's appeal in the
Epic Games
lawsuit, affirming that Google's Play Store and payment systems constitute illegal monopolies. The decision forces
to implement sweeping changes to Android's app ecosystem within three years, including allowing rival app stores on Google Play and ending exclusive payment requirements.
The appeals court lifted a stay that had temporarily paused most injunction requirements while Google pursued its appeal, clearing the path for immediate implementation of the court-ordered remedies.
Google now must open Android to third-party app stores
Under the permanent injunction, Google faces unprecedented restrictions on its Android business model. The company must distribute competing app stores through Google Play and provide rivals with access to its complete app catalog.
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Undo
Epic Games CEO
Tim Sweeney
, who called this a "total victory," announced that the
Epic
Games Store for Android will launch directly within
Google Play Store
.
Google is also banned from requiring developers to use Google Play Billing and from striking revenue-sharing deals with device manufacturers to preinstall its store.
Legal battle continues despite Epic's courtroom success
Google plans to escalate its appeal to the Supreme Court, with the company warning that the decision "will significantly harm user safety, limit choice, and undermine innovation." The tech giant had argued that the injunction imposed "burdensome contractual restrictions" without justification.
The case originated in 2020 when Epic embedded secret code in
Fortnite
to bypass Google's payment system, prompting Google to remove the popular game from its store. A 2023 jury unanimously found Google guilty of operating illegal monopolies in Android app distribution and in-app billing markets.
Unlike Epic's largely unsuccessful lawsuit against Apple, the Google case revealed internal documents showing revenue-sharing agreements and concerns about competitive threats, helping Epic secure its landmark victory in the ongoing battle over mobile app store dominance.
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