A federal judge in the United States has determined that Google is required to permit Android applications developed by competing technology companies to be available on its Google Play app store for a duration of three years, beginning next month.
Epic Games, the creator of the popular video game Fortnite, filed a lawsuit against tech giant Google, and Judge James Donato has ordered a number of remedies.
Google has announced its intention to appeal the decision and is seeking a delay in the proposed remedies.
In December, a jury ruled in favor of Epic, which contends that Google suppressed competition by exerting control over app distribution and payment systems on Android devices.
In a recent statement, Google expressed concerns that the proposed changes could jeopardize consumer privacy and security, complicate app promotion for developers, and diminish competition across devices.
Legal experts have praised the ruling as a significant challenge to the supremacy of a select group of technology giants.
“This indicates that courts may be open to compelling dominant platforms to provide access to competitors in the interest of fostering competition,” remarked Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School.
The ruling mandated that Google must provide access to its extensive catalog of apps for competing app stores, among other remedies.
“Typically, antitrust law does not mandate such requirements,” stated Mark Lemley, a professor at Stanford Law School. The judge emphasized that courts, upon violating antitrust laws, possess the authority to mandate corrective actions to remedy the inflicted harm, even in the absence of an initial obligation to undertake such measures.
Google contended that its Play app store functions within a competitive environment, pointing to rivalry with Apple, the manufacturer of the iPhone, which faced a lawsuit from Epic Games in 2020.
An appeals court has ruled that Apple does not hold a monopoly in the mobile gaming sector, bringing a significant conclusion to the case.
Monday’s ruling marks yet another significant setback for Google in its ongoing legal battles related to competition issues.
In August, US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled in favor of the US Department of Justice, which had alleged that the company was maintaining an unlawful monopoly in the online search market.
In the previous month, District Judge Leonie Brinkema concluded the proceedings regarding government claims that Google holds a dominant position in the advertising technology sector.
Critics of the company argue that Google’s fees, which can reach as high as 30% on transactions within its app store, have resulted in increased costs for consumers.
“That rate was possible due to their monopoly status,” stated Lee Hepner, Senior Legal Counsel at the American Economic Liberties Project. According to Mr. Hepner, the decision should change that circumstance.
More incentives for developers to enter the market should lower consumer prices, he predicted.