After suing Google and Apple accusing them of having created gods monopoly with App Store and Play Store, Epic Games has officially achieved a victory. In the specific case of the clash with the Mountain View giant, the federal jury has issued its final verdict in favor of Tim Sweeney’s company: Google has transformed the Play Store and its billing service into a illegal monopoly.
Unlike what happened in April, with Apple winning on appeal, this time the jury unanimously condemned the company which launched Gemini, the new AI model, a few days ago. Based on what has been established, Google has taken anti-competitive measures in markets where the Play Store is available e Epic Games was harmed by these very practices. Irregularities were also found in the payment system and especially in the agreements with other companies (including Samsung) not to compete with the platform. The latter is the real one difference compared to the legal battle with Applewhich has never entered into agreements of this type with other companies.
Wilson White, VP of Affairs and Public Policy of Google, has already announced that the company will appeal. «Android and Google Play offer more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform. […] We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain committed to our users, our partners and the entire Android ecosystem», we read in a note.
Epic Games’ comment
The victory in the courtroom was accompanied by a post on X by Tim Sweeney, founder of Epic Games, and by a communicated on the company blog. «Today’s verdict is a victory for all app developers and users. This shows that Google’s Play Store practices are illegal and that there is an abuse of the monopoly to obtain exorbitant fees, stifle competition and reduce innovation“, it is read.
Sweeney your X instead he wanted it to thank all those who supported Epic Games in this legal battle against the Mountain View giant.