Attorneys for Alphabet’s Google and Fortnite maker Epic Video games are set to sq. off earlier than a US appeals courtroom in California on Monday, as Google tries to undo a jury verdict and a decide’s order forcing it to revamp its app retailer.
Google has argued in courtroom filings to the San Francisco-based ninth US Circuit Courtroom of Appeals {that a} trial decide made authorized errors within the antitrust case that unfairly benefited Epic Video games.
Epic accused Google in a 2020 lawsuit of monopolising how shoppers entry apps on Android units and the way they pay for transactions inside apps. The Cary, North Carolina-based firm satisfied a San Francisco jury in 2023 that Google illegally stifled competitors.
US District Choose James Donato ordered Google in October to revive competitors by permitting customers to obtain rival app shops inside its Play retailer and by making Play’s app catalog accessible to these opponents, amongst different reforms.
The order is on maintain because the ninth Circuit weighs Google’s enchantment.
The tech big has argued that its Play retailer competes fiercely with Apple’s App Retailer, and that Donato unfairly allowed Epic to inform jurors that Google and Apple should not opponents for app distribution and in-app funds.
Google additionally stated in its enchantment that Donato was fallacious to challenge an order affecting customers and builders nationwide, not simply Epic. It stated the decide was appearing as “a central planner accountable for product design.”
Epic has requested the ninth Circuit to reject these arguments and accused Google of a “years-long technique to suppress competitors amongst app shops and fee options.”
In a press release, Epic stated it should “struggle to make sure that the jury’s verdict and the courtroom’s injunction are upheld and Google is held to account for its anticompetitive habits.”
Microsoft filed a short backing Epic, as did the US Justice Division and Federal Commerce Fee.
The ninth Circuit may challenge a ruling later within the 12 months. Its resolution will be appealed to the US Supreme Courtroom.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
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