The jury ruled that Google’s agreements with gaming companies and device manufacturers were deemed anti-competitive in the antitrust trial.
Epic Games has achieved a different outcome in its legal battle against Google compared to its dispute with Apple. A federal jury has sided with the video game developer, finding Google in violation of US antitrust laws in its management of the Play Store. The unanimous decision concluded that Google maintained an illegal monopoly on app distribution and in-app billing services for Android devices. Additionally, the jury deemed Google’s distribution agreements with other gaming companies and pre-installation deals with device manufacturers as anticompetitive.
Epic Games’ complaint revealed Google’s alleged discreet payments to game developers, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, under the initiative known as “Project Hug.” The lawsuit claimed that Google incentivized developers, including a reported $360 million payment to Activision Blizzard, to prevent them from establishing competing app stores. Despite Google’s reported deals with Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Riot Games, the jury found these actions anticompetitive.
While the jury acknowledged the negative impact of Google’s actions on Epic Games, the specific changes to Google’s practices remain unclear. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the court will begin working on remedies in January. Judge James Donato, overseeing the case, will decide whether to mandate Google to allow developers the freedom to introduce their own app stores and billing systems for Android devices. In the parallel lawsuit against Apple, the court ruled that Apple did not violate US antitrust laws but ordered the company to permit App Store developers to direct customers through third-party payment systems.
Victory over Google! After 4 weeks of detailed court testimony, the California jury found against the Google Play monopoly on all counts. The Court’s work on remedies will start in January. Thanks for everyone’s support and faith! Free Fortnite! https://t.co/ITm4YBHCus
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) December 12, 2023
Nevertheless, Google is determined to contest the outcome. Wilson White, Google’s VP for Government Affairs and Public Policy, informed Engadget that the company intends to challenge the verdict. White emphasized that Android and Google Play offer greater choice and openness compared to other major mobile platforms. He stated, “The trial made clear that we compete fiercely with Apple and its App Store, as well as app stores on Android devices and gaming consoles. We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain deeply committed to our users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem.”
