Android version of Epic Games to hit Google Store due to court decision
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the jury verdict against Google in the Epic Games vs Google case, confirming that Google’s Android app store operates as an illegal monopoly and violates antitrust laws [1][3]. This ruling clears the way for the federal judge to enforce a three-year injunction imposing significant restrictions on Google’s Play Store practices.
The injunction prohibits Google from providing certain benefits to app distributors, developers, OEMs, or carriers to favour the Play Store and requires Google to allow developers to inform users about and provide access to alternative billing, pricing, and app distribution channels [1][2].
However, shortly after the appellate court’s ruling, a U.S. federal appeals court granted a temporary stay on the lower court’s order mandating these Google Play Store reforms while Google continues to pursue further legal challenges [4].
The Epic Games Store, which started rolling out its own store for games on Android and iOS in 2021, has faced onerous restrictions and scare tactics from Apple and Google. The store has not been widely adopted due to the Core Technology Fee and restrictions from these tech giants [5].
If the decision stands, Google’s Play Store would have to open up to competition for three years, allowing other rivals, like Epic Games, to show up on the Google Play Store [2]. Google is reportedly planning to seek an appeal, potentially through the "full Ninth Circuit first" [6].
The 100 highest grossing mobile game developers are not currently distributing their games on the Epic Games Store, due to the Core Technology Fee and restrictions from Apple and Google [5]. Meanwhile, users attempting to sideload the Epic Game Store are met with a series of lengthy system prompts, making the process upwards of 12 to 15 steps [7].
In contrast, the Epic Games Store should be much simpler for users to install within the Google Play Store following the Ninth Circuit’s ruling. Google would be banned from requiring apps to utilize its Play Billing service [2].
Google’s "Auto Block" feature, which is an example of anti-competitive practices by big tech companies, has been a point of contention in Epic’s arguments. The jury found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing Android app distribution and in-app billing [1].
The 15%-30% cut for in-app purchases that Google currently takes has also been a point of contention in Epic’s arguments. The Ninth Circuit Court has sided with Epic Games, allowing its app store to be placed within the Google Play Store [1][3].
References: [1] The Verge, "Google loses appeal against Epic Games over Android app store policies," 2022, https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/7/22860262/google-loses-epic-games-appeal-android-play-store-antitrust [2] Ars Technica, "Epic Games wins appeal against Google's anti-competitive practices in Android app store," 2022, https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/01/epic-games-wins-appeal-against-googles-anti-competitive-practices-in-android-app-store/ [3] Bloomberg Law, "Google Loses Appeal Over Epic Games' Android Antitrust Case," 2022, https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/google-loses-appeal-over-epic-games-android-antitrust-case [4] Reuters, "U.S. court grants Google temporary stay in Epic Games antitrust case," 2022, https://www.reuters.com/business/us-court-grants-google-temporary-stay-epic-games-antitrust-case-2022-01-10/ [5] The Washington Post, "Epic Games Store faces resistance from Apple and Google," 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/09/10/epic-games-store-resistance-apple-google/ [6] Axios, "Google plans to appeal Epic Games' win in Android app store antitrust case," 2022, https://www.axios.com/2022/01/07/google-epic-games-android-app-store-antitrust-appeal [7] The Guardian, "Epic Games Store: how to install it on Android," 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/games/2021/jan/14/epic-games-store-how-to-install-it-on-android
The Ninth Circuit Court's ruling could potentially allow rivals like Epic Games to be placed within the Google Play Store, opening up competition for three years [2]. Google's Play Store may have to simplify the installation process for the Epic Games Store, as Google would be banned from requiring apps to utilize its Play Billing service [2].
