A jury has ruled in a historic ruling that Google’s actions within the Play Store are illegal and anti-competitive. After this decision, the Court has asked Epic, the company that creates well-known games like Fortnite, to file a proposed injunction detailing the modifications Google ought to make in light of the jury’s conclusions. The ideas that underpin Epic’s requested injunction mark a substantial change in the way that Android apps are made available and made money from.
Epic is opening up a new ecosystem
Epic’s injunction proposal is based on the principle that consumers deserve the liberty to decide from where they want to download their apps, without any manipulation or pressure from Google. This entails the option to download from third-party app stores, directly from the web, or other platforms, without facing intimidating prompts or alerts meant to dissuade them. Similar to how users can easily download software on their computers, Epic contends that mobile devices should offer the same freedom and independence.
At the core of Epic’s plan is the ban on Google’s aggressive tactics that hinder consumer options and competition. This means stopping Google from pressuring carriers and phone makers to limit app distribution or impose pre-installation restrictions. By eliminating these barriers, Epic seeks to establish a fair marketplace where all developers, regardless of size or resources, can reach consumers without hindrances.
Fair in-app purchase policies and protecting retaliation
Epic firmly believes that developers and consumers deserve the right to decide how in-app purchases are conducted, free from oppressive fees or constraints imposed by Google. This involves granting developers the ability to provide various payment choices within their apps and engage directly with their users, such as by directing them to external websites for transactions and promotions. Furthermore, Epic aims to stop Google from enforcing deceptive compliance measures intended to hinder rival payment systems, in order to establish a level playing field for all parties involved.
To combat Google’s pattern of retaliating against developers who dissent, Epic’s suggested injunction includes protections to prevent such misconduct. This entails guaranteeing that Epic can introduce its Epic Games Store on Android devices smoothly, without facing setbacks, obstacles, or punitive actions from Google. Moreover, through safeguarding against retaliation, Epic seeks to cultivate an environment where developers can freely innovate and compete based on their own merits, devoid of any apprehension of consequences.
Google did respond to this soon after. A Google spokesperson told to ArsTechnica that the company still plans to appeal the original verdict. The spokesperson said the following: “Epic’s filing to the US Federal Court shows again that it simply wants the benefits of Google Play without having to pay for it“. The company’s representative also added: “We’ll continue to challenge the verdict, as Android is an open mobile platform that faces fierce competition from the Apple App Store, as well as app stores on Android devices, PCs, and gaming consoles“.
2024-04-15 15:09:05