In a groundbreaking legal battle, Epic Games emerges victorious as the jury declares Google's Play Store an 'illegal monopoly,' shedding light on the tech giant's dominance in app distribution. The unanimous decision exposes Google's anticompetitive actions in Android app distribution and in-app billing markets.
The jury finds that Epic Games suffered harm due to Google's monopolistic behavior, highlighting an illicit connection between Google's Play app store and Play Billing payment services. Google's Project Hug, a discreet incentive program for game developers, is also ruled anticompetitive, unveiling the extent of Google's efforts to maintain control over the Play Store.
The controversy originated in 2020 when Google removed Fortnite from the Play Store, prompting Epic Games to initiate a lawsuit. Similar legal troubles arose with Apple in 2021, both stemming from Epic Games' introduction of its proprietary system. The legal proceedings revealed Google's attempted acquisition of Epic Games in 2018 and restrictions imposed on device manufacturers like OnePlus and Samsung regarding including Fortnite.
Epic Games hails the jury's decision as a 'win for all developers,' expressing gratitude to the court for addressing this significant case. Their official statement asserts, "Today’s verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world. It proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal, abusing their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition, and reduce innovation."
CEO Tim Sweeney, expressing excitement over the verdict, conveyed gratitude for widespread support during the trial on X (formerly Twitter). As the legal battle concludes, this verdict is poised to reshape the landscape, ushering in a new era where app developers can thrive in a more competitive and innovative environment.
Unlocking Fairness and Innovation: Epic's Triumph Against App Monopoly
In a game-changing legal showdown, Epic Games emerges victorious, exposing Google's Play Store as an 'illegal monopoly.' The jury's unanimous decision unveils Google's tight grip on app distribution, signaling a significant win for all developers.
The verdict highlights Google's anticompetitive actions in Android app distribution and in-app billing markets, with the jury affirming harm suffered by Epic Games. An illicit connection between Google's Play app store and Play Billing payment services is revealed, challenging the monopolistic practices.
Google's Project Hug, a discreet incentive program, is also found to be anticompetitive, offering insights into the lengths Google went to maintain control over the Play Store. The legal battle originated in 2020 when Google removed Fortnite from the Play Store, triggering a lawsuit from Epic Games. Similar conflicts with Apple in 2021 underscored the challenges faced by Epic Games in introducing its proprietary system.
Epic Games lauds the jury's decision as a 'win for all developers,' emphasizing the illegality of Google's app store practices. The verdict underscores the abuse of monopoly power by extracting exorbitant fees, stifling competition, and impeding innovation.
CEO Tim Sweeney expresses excitement over the outcome on X (formerly Twitter), thanking supporters during the trial. As the legal battle concludes, Epic Games' triumph sets the stage for a more competitive and innovative landscape, challenging the status quo and empowering app developers worldwide.
Whoa, major win for Epic Games. About time for a shakeup!
2023-12-13
:)
2024-07-26