Fortnite maker Epic Games wins case in opposition to Google Play Store

Fortnite logo displayed on a laptop screen and DualSense controllerGetty Images

A jury within the United States has discovered that Google unlawfully made its Play Store dominant over rival app shops.

Epic Games, which owns well-liked online game Fortnite, sued Google in 2020, accusing it of a monopoly over the distribution of apps and in-app billing.

Hundreds of thousands and thousands of individuals globally use the shop to put in apps for smartphones powered by Google’s Android software program.

Google stated it might problem the result.

“Android and Google Play provide more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform,” Wilson White, vice-president of presidency affairs and public coverage at Google, stated.

“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 proceed to defend the Android enterprise mannequin and stay deeply dedicated to our customers, companions, and the broader Android ecosystem,”

Epic Chief Executive Tim Sweeney said that work on remedies would start in January.

“Victory over Google! After 4 weeks of detailed courtroom testimony, the California jury discovered in opposition to the Google Play monopoly on all counts,” Epic Chief Executive Tim Sweeney wrote in a publish on X, previously often known as Twitter.

The lawyers for the two companies made their final arguments on Monday in the trial that lasted more than a month.

The case also challenged transaction fees of up to 30% that Google imposes on Android app developers.

Epic stated within the lawsuit that Google “suppresses innovation and selection” through a “internet of secretive, anticompetitive agreements”.

Google had countersued for damages against Epic for allegedly violating the company’s developer agreement.

The tech giant has faced a number of anti-trust cases, settling similar claims from dating app Match before the Epic trial started.

Epic filed a similar antitrust case against Apple in 2020, but a US judge largely ruled in favour of Apple in 2021.

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