Google maintains its monopoly on Android with Play Store, justice ruled

Dramatic development in the case between Epic and Google. The creator of Fortnite won his lawsuit against the Mountain View company after losing his lawsuit against Apple. The jury members unanimously agreed that the latter maintains its monopoly over Android with the Play Store through various methods. So things may change in the operating system soon.

This is a case that dates back to 2020. That year, Epic Games, the video game giant behind Fortnite and the Unreal Engine, declared war on two other giants: Google and Apple. While the cult game was recently banned on the Play Store and App Store for violating the rules regarding the commissions the two platforms receive through in-game purchases, Epic accuses the two companies of establishing a monopoly on their operating systems.

The resolution of the lawsuit against Apple was mixed for both companies, as Apple was forced to loosen its regulations and Fortnite was not allowed to return to the App Store. Today it is time for the Epic vs Google case to be concluded. And this time the developer can boast of a much more significant victory. Indeed, justice has established that the Play Store on Android really has a monopoly.

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The jury thus unanimously agreed that Google has used a variety of methods to maintain the dominant position of the store on Android, through exclusivity agreements with certain manufacturers and even through Project Hug, this broad campaign to keep mobile game developers in its store. A strategy that “It has led to higher prices for developers and consumers, as well as a decline in innovation and quality.” According to Epic Games’ lawyer Gary Bornstein.

“Today’s decision is a victory for all app developers and consumers worldwide. This proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal and that they are abusing their monopoly to charge exorbitant fees, stifle competition, and reduce innovation. Epic said in a statement calling:Legislation and regulations addressing Apple and Google’s control over smartphones ».

Google, on the other hand, defends itself by arguing that this is the only real way Android can compete with Apple and the App Store. The company has already indicated its intention to appeal this decision. The judiciary has now been given a month to determine the new restrictions to be applied to the Play Store.

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