Google granted pause on Play Store changes; Setting back Epic Games’ antitrust case

A Californian federal judge has agreed to temporarily delay an order for significant alterations to the Play Store in an antitrust action filed by Epic Games, the creator of “Fortnite.” The decision puts on hold an earlier injunction that would have required Google to alter its Play Store by November 1^st, to allow users more control over how to download applications on Android devices.

On October 19^th, US District Judge James Donato of San Francisco granted Google’s appeal, arguing that the injunction issued on October 7^th  would pose “serious safety, security, and privacy risks” to the Android ecosystem.

The judgement required Google to expose Android to third-party app marketplaces and rival in-app payment systems, which was a significant shift from the company’s present revenue model. The judge also forbade Google from incentivizing device makers to preload its Play Store software and from sharing Play Store income with other distributors.
The injunction has been paused to allow the 9^th US Circuit Court of Appeals to hear Google’s other motion to delay the revisions’ enforcement. However, Judge Donato denied Google’s more general request to enjoin the transition throughout the appeal, making the stay only temporary until the appellate court decides on Google’s appeal.

Google was pleased with the temporary delay, stating, “We’re pleased with the District Court’s decision to temporarily pause the implementation of dangerous remedies demanded by Epic, as the Court of Appeal considers our request to further pause the remedies while we appeal.” The business has already appealed the jury’s antitrust findings to the 9^th Circuit, but has yet to file its brief.

Epic Games filed the lawsuit in 2020, alleging that Google unlawfully monopolises how people access apps and make in-app purchases on Android devices. Last year, a jury ruled in Epic’s favour, finding that Google engaged in anticompetitive behaviour by requiring Android users to download apps from its Play Store and use its payment system for in-app purchases.

Epic said that Google’s methods of regulating the app store and payment infrastructure made competition difficult to come by, limiting alternatives for both developers and consumers. The jury’s judgement was viewed as a precedent in the ongoing dispute between app store operators in the mobile environment.

The temporary stay allows Google to retain its present Play Store standards in place for the time being, but if the 9th Circuit upholds the original ruling, Google may be forced to make significant changes. These improvements could increase competition in the Android app market, benefiting consumers and potentially cutting app makers’ costs.

For the time being, Epic Games and Google’s legal battle continues to influence the future of how programs are provided, sold, and earned on Android devices, as well as for developers, consumers, and the IT sector.