Google Requests Undoing of the Epic Games' Case Decision

Epic Games’ Case Win against Google on Hold for Now

Google Demands Reversal of the Epic Games’ Antitrust Case Win

Google has demanded an appeals court of the US to reverse the decision of a lower court in the Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit. The lower court’s order forces Google to allow third-party app stores and payment solutions on its marketplace Play Store, including those that support cryptocurrencies.

Google submitted a detailed 110-page filing to the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court on November 27, arguing that the decision ruled out by the Californian federal court judge would lower its competitiveness against Apple and its iPhone.

The Case

Epic Games, an American Company that develops and publishes video games and other interactive entertainment, had sued both Apple and Google in court in August 2020 for imposing restrictions on third-party app stores and payment solutions. The two tech giants mandate the use of their own payment systems that charge 30% commission on all transactions. Epic Games had its popular game Fortnite on both app stores, but external apps were prevented from being used for making payments.

To surpass the fees, Epic Games attempted to introduce its own payment system within its application. As a result, one of the most-played games of the world was removed from both stores, leading to the lawsuits.

Court Decisions

Now, Judge Donato came up with the ruling that Google lift the restrictions to allow developers the option to download apps from other marketplaces. The jury declared its finding in December 2023 that Google had violated antitrust laws by posing hurdles for the rival app stores.

However, court’s decision for the lawsuit against Apple by Epic had given a different judgment and not held the firm responsible for such violations. Moreover, the ruling was direct that didn’t involve a jury trial, opposite to what happened in Google’s case.

Claims by Google

Google has claimed that Judge Donato should have not only acknowledged its competition with Apple in the smartphone market, but should also have made a direct ruling, as with Apple. Google considers the court’s decision unfair as it finds itself being forced to compete against rival app stores, a decision not imposed on Apple.

Google has called Epic a lone competitor who is using the federal structure to restructure the daily activities of the Google’s app store. It has requested undoing the court’s ruling to allow dynamic competition with Apple and the iPhone to continue innovation and concrete benefits for consumers around the world.

Conclusion

The ruling and Judge Donato’s order are now on hold, as the appeals court may uphold the same for the case to be further studied, or choose to delay its enforcement until a final decision is made.

The restrictions imposed by the tech giants limit the abilities of crypto-native apps like (non-fungible token) NFT marketplaces, whose functions are usually just a little more than that of art galleries. Oral arguments will be heard at a San Fransisco’s court on February 3, 2025.