The creator of world-renowned video game Fortnite was triumphant in a U.S. court trial versus Google, with a jury concluding that the search behemoth had broken the law by engaging in a monopoly.
In 2020, Epic Games launched legal proceedings against Google, claiming it had unfairly made the Google Play Store dominant over other app retailers.
Hundreds of millions of people utilize the store to install applications for smartphones that run Google's Android software.
Google declared that they would contest the result.
Wilson White, vice-president of government affairs and public policy at Google, declared that Android and Google Play offer a higher level of choice compared to any other top mobile platform.
The evidence presented in the trial underscored the fact that we are in fierce competition with Apple and its App Store, as well as app stores on Android devices and gaming consoles, he further commented.
We will remain staunchly dedicated to preserving the Android business model and our patrons, affiliates, and the entire Android environment.
Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic, declared that creating solutions would commence in January.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced a major victory against Google in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, after a four-week-long court case. All claims leveled against the Google Play monopoly were found in favor of Sweeney's firm.
On Monday, the legal representatives of both corporations presented their closing statements in the trial that had been ongoing for more than a month.
All jurors unanimously ruled in Epic's favour on all counts, according to a court filing.
This case questioned the 30% fees imposed by Google to Android application builders and its combination of the Play Store and billing service that requires developers to use both if they would like to have their apps presented in the store.
Therefore, the ruling could grant developers more control over their apps' distribution and how they generate revenue from them.
Google asserts that the commissions they charge are equivalent to those of other companies in the sector, as well as offering advantages such as greater reach, transaction security, and defence against malicious software.
In the event the ruling remains in effect, Google will potentially have to give entry to more app stores on Android-operated gadgets, thereby causing them to forfeit the income generated by any in-app buys.
The Google Play Store is a major app store that rivals Apple's App Store on a global scale.
Roughly 70% of all smartphones are powered by Android, and it is estimated by Epic games that over 95% of Android apps are disseminated via the Play Store.
The tech giant's store is not as profitable as its successful search business, yet it grants Google access to a vast number of mobile phones and tablets.
Epic alleges that Google utilizes a "web of secretive, anti-competitive agreements" to stifle innovation and limit consumer choice.
During the trial, it was seen that Google had a willingness to spend billions to obstruct other application stores from forming, by enticing developers to wrap up their own store initiatives and exclusive delivery techniques, and by extending hugely rewarding arrangements to device makers in trade for blocking out rival app stores, Epic games declared after the decision was made.
Google retaliated with a lawsuit seeking recompense from Epic for reportedly contravening its developer agreement.
The tech behemoth has been the subject of many anti-trust lawsuits, resolving analogous assertions from the dating app Match prior to the commencement of the Epic litigation.
Epic initiated an antitrust lawsuit against Apple in 2020, but a judge in the US virtually sided with Apple in 2021.
In its statement, Epic Games argued that the evidence provided in this case highlighted the necessity of laws and guidelines that tackle Apple and Google's control of the smartphone market.
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