- Epic Games pushes for an "Epic case injunction" against Google to open up Android app stores and offer flexible in-app purchase options following their December 2023 antitrust win.
- The injunction seeks to allow app downloads from various sources, challenge Google's restrictions with phone makers, and promote alternative payment methods in apps.
- Google's response is awaited by May 2nd, with a court hearing set for May 23rd, as the "Epic case injunction" could reshape Android app distribution and payment practices.
In a dramatic antitrust case in which Epic Games, the creators of the highly popular Fortnite, beat Google, a tech giant that controls the Android marketplace as well as the billing procedures inside applications, in December 2023. As a result of their next victory, Epic Games wants an Epic case injunction to be implemented by Google through the Play Store transformation.
Epic Case Injunction: Epic Games Advocates for Open Android App Store Post Antitrust Win
The case of Epic Games, the court ruled in its favor, but the specific changes that Google needs to make are still unknown. Keeping in view to throw clarity into that, Epic Games has brought an injunction petition against Google, demanding a more open Android community.
Epic Games’ primary mission in the case is clear. In the first place, they desire to provide the users with the possibility to download applications from various sources, providing them with the pliability they have on a computer.
This involves organizing app downloads from other, alternative app stores or directly from the internet provider. Epic Games also urges Google not to steer users away from other apps through the means of dissuasion against malware.
secondly, they would look into Google’s agreements with phone makers and carriers to impede access to apps through carriages other than those of the Google Play Store. This could create an entry for other app stores such as the Epic Games Store to be pre-installed on Android devices.
Lastly, Epic Games is an advocate of in-purchase freedom. They argue that customers and users should have the liberty to choose the preferred mode of payment for in-app purchases.
Developers would additionally provide new payment gateways avoiding Google’s transaction fees through the Play Store. The last one refers to the case that was used in the original complaint by Epic about Fortnite gamers being able to save on in-game purchases when transacting directly with Epic instead of via the Play Store.
In the end, Epic Games demands that Google should not take any action to punish developers or apps that object to Google’s app store practices. Claiming that the tech giant deliberately circumvents rules directed to reduce Android disproportion, Epic is moving to preclude these maneuvers, resulting in an environment where consumers and developers can benefit from.
Epic Games requires a list of particular terms. They propose to separate Google’s products and services as different entities with its operating system’s APIs from the Play Store.
Additionally, they put forward six years without the Play Store charging any fee for third-party app stores. Such stores would also be provided with Play Store’s app database which they would manage to maintain app updates. Additionally, Epic Games demands the establishment of an independent monitoring committee, to supervise Google’s obedience to the ruling.
Related
The reply of the company is scheduled for the 2nd of May and the court date is May 23rd. However, Google keeps suggesting that the Android system is competing with the Apple App Store and other app platforms simultaneously while fighting the same regulations as the Digital Markets Act issuance in the EU. The Verge has compiled a dedicated report on the Epic Games proposal which is very interesting to read.
Interestingly, Eva Zanuck has embraced the ongoing challenges posed by tech giants and thus came up with her mobile app store to be rolled out in the EU in 2023. On the other hand, they have not yet resolved the legal dispute with Apple over third-party payments in the US.
The case is expected to have an enormous impact on the way Android devices are purchased and in-app transactions occur. This development may bring with it a new era of fair competition and unlocked channels of commerce.
