- Judge James Donato has ruled Google’s Play Store an illegal monopoly
- Google intends to appeal the verdict
Stay Informed
Get Industry News In Your Inbox…
Sign Up Today
Google has created an illegal monopoly on Android with its Play Store, according to Judge James Donato’s final ruling.
As a result, the tech conglomerate will be forced to open up its Play Store for the next three years and allow other stores to be distributed there.
As reported by The Verge, Google must allow developers to inform users of alternate payment methods on the Play Store, provide links that lead users away from the store, and more.
It’s a result very much in Epic’s favour, coming ten months on from the Fornite maker’s win against Google in Federal Court.
In fact, many of Epic’s demands have featured in the final ruling.
No bribes allowed
Beginning November 1st, 2024, Google must distribute rival stores via the Play Store and give them access to its entire catalogue of apps – excluding apps by developers who specifically opt-out.
This means that third-party stores will be able to offer the same selection of games too.
To prevent Google from bribing companies into opting out, the ruling also stops the tech giant from incentivising developers with money or perks to launch on the Play Store exclusively.
Even offers to launch there first will be banned – a rule that doesn’t apply to Epic itself, which is planning to give Unreal users special perks to launch on the Epic Games Store next year.
The ruling will also factor in new devices – stopping Google from paying device manufacturers and carriers from pre-installing the Play Store but not third-party stores.
A fair chance
Developers are also to set their own prices regardless of Google Play Billing, and the giant can no longer enforce its payment system on the Play Store.
But all of these changes will only be enforced for the next three years – half of Epic’s request – as the judge ruled this should be sufficient time for rivals to grow and “level the playing field” with the Play Store, transforming Google’s store into one of many in a competing market; and at that point, “Google should not be unduly constrained as a competitor”, Donato stated.
Google itself intends to appeal, warning that the verdict will cause “unintended consequences that will harm American consumers, developers and device makers”. This is despite the judge ruling some “strictly necessary” control over Play Store security will remain with the giant.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is already celebrating, meanwhile, having posted on Twitter: “Big news! The Epic Games Store and other app stores are coming to the Google Play Store in 2025 in the USA – without Google’s scare screens and Google’s 30% app tax – thanks to victory in Epic v Google.”
Just last week, he highlighted Epic’s battles with Apple and Google at Unreal Fest, calling the pair “monopoly rent collectors“.
