It should open Google Play Store. U.S. District Judge James Donato on Monday given a standing order forcing the company to open its storefront to competitors and make its Android apps available in alternative stores for three years. The decision comes from Google four years of antitrust struggle With Epic Games. Google he said on Monday it will appeal the decision, citing its competition with Apple and potential security concerns.
As part of the decision, Google must allow third-party app stores to access the Google Play library. In addition, CNBC states that the company should make those alternative app stores available for download on the Play Store. Google also can’t make deals (using fees or revenue sharing) to launch apps exclusively on Google Play or pre-install its store on new hardware.
Invoice changes will also come out of the order. Google cannot require developers to use its own billing system. Also, it cannot stop developers from informing users about cheaper payment options.
CNBC reports that a three-member committee will review Google’s compliance and technical issues arising from the decision. The committee will be organized by Google and Epic companies.
When reached for comment by Engadget, a Google spokesperson pointed to a blog post explains why will he apply. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, wrote that the company’s competition with Apple helps overcome antitrust concerns. “The decision ignores the fact that Android is an open platform, and developers have always had many options in how to distribute their apps,” Mulholland wrote. “In fact, most Android devices come preloaded with two or more app stores out of the box.”
“For example, Epic Games popularized itself Fortnite app is available to Android users through the Samsung Galaxy Store, sideload, and the Epic Games Store — all while Fortnite is not distributed through Google Play,” Google’s VP of Regulatory Affairs wrote. choices he doesn’t know.”
In December, the jury found the Google Play Store Violates US antitrust laws. The unanimous decision found that the company had an illegal monopoly over the distribution of apps and in-app billing for Android devices. It also ruled that its deals with other game companies and device manufacturers were anti-competitive.
Epic in April listed the proposed standing order This is largely in line with Donato’s decision today. In turn, Google said at the time Epic’s demands went too far and were too self-serving.
The decision went in a very different direction than the similar Epic brought against Apple Fortnite creator mostly lost. CNBC The fate of Apple’s lawsuit was in the judge’s hands, as the jury in Google’s trial noted.
