Back in 2020 Epic filed a lawsuit against Google claiming that the search engine company had an illegal monopoly with the Google Play Store on Android mobile devices, with 95% of apps all coming through Google’s store.
Not only did the suit allege a monopoly, but it focused in on Google’s 30% cut that the platform holder took from every purchase made through the Google Play Store, including in-app purchases.
On Monday, a verdict was reached by a jury that sided with Epic, which stated that:
- Epic proved the existence of an antitrust market on Android devices
- That Google “willfully acquired or maintained monopoly power by engaging in anti-competitive conduct
- That Epic suffered damages as a result of Google’s antitrust market
- That Google “entered into one or more agreements that unreasonably restrained trade”
“Today’s verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world.” said Epic in a blog post.
“It proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal and they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition and reduce innovation.”
The ramifications of this verdict will be felt throughout the industry, though it remains to be seen just what those changes will be.
Changes will begin to be worked on in the new year, so it’ll be interesting to see not only what they are but how effective they end up being.
Source – [Epic Games, VGC]