The Epic vs Google court battle has come to a verdict, with a jury unanimously voting in Epic’s favor, and declaring that Google has an “illegal monopoly” with the Play Store and Google Play billing.
As reported by The Verge, the jury voted that Google has a monopoly over Android app distribution and in-app billing, that Google has engaged in anticompetitive practices around its markets, and that Epic was injured by Google’s behavior. The case seems to have particularly come down to the multiple reveals throughout the case that Google’s practices and deals were deemed as anti-competitive.
While the verdict is in, the case isn’t over just yet. Judge James Donato still hasn’t announced what Epic has won or what changes Google will be required to make.
Epic, in a blog post, says that the verdict is “a win for all app developers.”
Today’s verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world. It proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal and they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition and reduce innovaion.
Top marks to Epic for fighting that battle. But are they now going to fine Google for all the profit they illegally gained in the last ten years? Or just a slap on the wrist and require them to put in some weak-choose-another-store option in some phones moving forward?
They are going to require all Android phones come with both Android Play Store and Epic Games ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) so it is no longer a monopoly but a duopoly.