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The Fortnite maker wants the tech giant to change its policy.
Image credit: Epic Games
According to recent reports, Epic Games has requested San Francisco US District Judge James Donato to mandate the Google Play Store to allow third-party app stores for six years and limit agreements with device manufacturers restricting pre-installation of such stores.
The outcome of the proposal is uncertain, but a legal battle is expected before a decision is reached. The lawsuit will test Google's control over app developers and consumers, following a December antitrust trial where a jury found Google guilty of anti-competitive practices.
"The goal of this injunction is to open up to competition [in] the two markets found by the jury: the market for the distribution of Android apps and the market for Android in-app billing services for digital goods and services transactions, to the benefit of developers of Android apps, developers of payment solutions for use in Android apps and users of Android mobile devices," Epic Games stated in the filing (via GamesIndustry.biz).
Epic Games' injunction also seeks to prevent Google from limiting how apps inform users about out-of-app purchase options.
Epic Games' lawsuit against Google does not seek monetary compensation and aims to challenge the tech giant's app store practices. Google has vowed to defend its practices and must respond to the proposal by May 3. The ongoing legal dispute is significant, considering the implications for the tech industry and the regulation of app distribution platforms.
"Epic's filing to the US Federal Court shows again that it simply wants the benefits of Google Play without having to pay for it," responded Google (via GamesIndustry.biz). "We'll continue to challenge the verdict, as Android is an open mobile platform that faces fierce competition from the Apple App Store, as well as app stores on Android devices, PCs, and gaming consoles."
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