- Judge James Donato has declared Google’s Play Store to be an illegal monopoly
- Google plans to challenge the ruling
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According to the final decision of Judge James Donato, Google has established an unlawful monopoly on Android through its Play Store.
As a consequence, the technology giant must open up the Play Store for the next three years and permit the distribution of other stores.
As reported by The Verge, Google is obligated to enable developers to inform users of alternative payment methods on the Play Store, offer links that direct users away from the store, and more.
This outcome strongly favors Epic, following their victory against Google in Federal Court ten months ago.
In fact, many of Epic’s demands are included in the final decision.
No Favoritism Allowed
Starting November 1st, 2024, Google must make rival stores available through the Play Store and grant them access to its entire app collection – with the exception of apps from developers that choose to opt-out.
Thus, third-party stores will be able to provide the same range of games as well.
To prevent Google from influencing companies to opt-out, the ruling prohibits the tech giant from offering incentives such as money or perks to developers for exclusive launches on the Play Store.
Even incentives to launch on the Play Store first are prohibited – a rule that does not apply to Epic, which plans to offer Unreal users special benefits for launching on the Epic Games Store next year.
The ruling also addresses new devices by prohibiting Google from paying device manufacturers and carriers to pre-install the Play Store, but not third-party stores.
A Fair Playing Field
Developers can now set their own prices independent of Google Play Billing, and the giant is no longer allowed to enforce its payment system on the Play Store.
However, all these changes will only be enforced for the next three years – half of what Epic requested – as the judge believes this timeframe should be adequate for competitors to thrive and “level the playing field” with the Play Store, transforming Google’s store into one among many in a competitive market; and by then, “Google should not be unfairly restricted as a competitor,” Donato affirmed.
Google intends to appeal, cautioning that the ruling will lead to “unintended consequences that will negatively impact American consumers, developers, and device manufacturers.” Nonetheless, the judge did acknowledge that some “essential control” over Play Store security will still remain with the company.
Meanwhile, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is already celebrating, having posted on Twitter: “Great news! The Epic Games Store and other app stores will be available on the Google Play Store in 2025 in the USA – without Google’s restrictions and app tax – thanks to the triumph in Epic v Google.”
Just last week, he highlighted Epic’s legal battles with Apple and Google at Unreal Fest, referring to them as “monopoly rent collectors“.
