Epic win: Jury decides Google has illegal monopoly in app store fight - The Verge

One-liner

Jury finds Google guilty of maintaining an illegal monopoly with its app store and in-app billing services, to which Google plans an appeal, highlighting a significant victory for Epic Games in the antitrust arena.

Synopsis

Epic Games has achieved a considerable win in its antitrust lawsuit against Google. A jury found that Google's practices regarding its app distribution through the Google Play Store, along with its in-app billing services, constituted an illegal monopoly. This judgment arrived after several hours of deliberation, underlining the unanimous decision that Google's market behavior was indeed anticompetitive and had caused harm to Epic.

The Case Against Google

Central to the case were the exclusive deals, referred to as "Project Hug," between Google, smartphone manufacturers, and major game developers. These deals were deemed as Google's mechanism to suppress competition, particularly aiming to thwart potential rival app stores. The trial exposed Google's fears about competition from Epic and highlighted stark differences from Epic's previous lawsuit against Apple, which Epic largely lost.

Potential Outcomes and Reactions

The long-term implications for Google's app store remain unresolved, pending decisions on remedies by Judge James Donato. Epic's objectives go beyond monetary compensation; the company seeks a mandate for freedom regarding app distribution and billing systems on Android. Despite Google's impending appeal and their assertion of providing a competitive and choice-rich platform, this verdict stands as a critical moment in Epic's agenda against app store monopolies.

Key quotes

  1. "Today’s verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world."
  2. "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."
  3. "We don’t do don’t-break-the-law injunctions... if you have a problem, you can come back."

Make it stick

  1. Epic vs. Google Play: A landmark judgment deeming Google's control over app distribution and billing as monopoly.
  2. Project Hug Exposed: Google's exclusive deals to stifle the competition are unveiled and judged anticompetitive.
  3. Different Fates: Contrasting outcomes for Epic in its legal battles with Apple (lost) and Google (won).

Talking points

  1. Did you know that Epic Games won their antitrust lawsuit against Google but lost a similar case against Apple?
  2. Jury verdicts declared Google's tie between its Play Store and Play Billing to be illegal, a decision that could reshape app distribution.
  3. Google's internal concerns over competition from Epic Games were a key factor in the verdict of the lawsuit.
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