Play Store: After Epic and Fortnite, a class action attacks Google’s commission

Last week, we reported in our columns that a conflict has begun between Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite and publisher of the game engine Unreal Engine, and two very important companies in the phone world: Apple and Google. If you are a developer and want to sell a product or service to as many people as possible, you need to go through these two companies. they control App Store and Play Store.

Moreover, even if it is possible to download and install applications on an Android device without entering the Google store, you will have difficulty reaching users. Since Google and Apple are well aware that their services facilitate communication, the two firms impose payment systems and sales commissions. 30%. Which nobody likes. But everyone, even among members of the American Congress, is content with it.

Voices against this practice are getting louder. sounds like from Epic, hence the creator of Fortnite. Within days, the editor became the standard bearer for the disgruntled. After Epic set up its own payment system, it saw its flagship game get kicked out of the Play Store. Parallel, Apple also banned the game from its store. in retaliation, Epic attacks both companies in court for anti-competitive practice.

‘Cause Epic isn’t the only one unhappy

An American law firm Hagens Bermanjumped at the chance to initiate a class action (or Class Action in the original version) and sue Google. Reason: Anti-competitive application and abuse of dominance against distribution and marketing tools of applications on Play Store and Android.

The file was presented to Parliament this week. San Jose courtin California. In order for the group action to be initiated, the firm issued a press release inviting developers of injured apps to join the movement. Because the more plaintiffs, the more repercussions the class action will have. And the case is more likely to be completed. We’ll see if this really leads to a change in the way apps are distributed, whether on Android or iOS.