New Court Ruling Opens the Door for Rival App Stores on Google Play

The final results of the Epic v. Google lawsuit are in, with a US judge ruling largely in favor of Epic Games. This ruling could significantly change how apps are distributed on Android devices. Let’s break down what happened and what it means for both users and developers.

The Big Changes Coming to Android

Starting November 1, 2024, and lasting for three years (November 1st, 2027), Google must make these major changes:

1. Open Up Google Play: Google has to allow other app stores within Google Play. This means you might soon see the Epic Games Store right inside Google Play! (currently, it’s web-based)
2. Share the App Catalog: Google must let rival app stores access all the apps in Google Play (unless a developer opts out).
3. Payment Freedom: Google can’t force apps to use Google Play Billing for in-app purchases.
4. More Information for Users: App developers can now tell users about other ways to pay and download their apps outside of Google Play.
5. Pricing Freedom: Developers can set their own prices for apps, regardless of Google’s payment system.

What Google Can’t Do Anymore

The ruling also puts some restrictions on Google:

• They can’t make special deals to keep apps exclusive to Google Play.
• They can’t pay device makers (mobile makers) or carriers to only install Google Play.
• They can’t share app revenue with companies that distribute Android apps. (means those who launch app stores).

Epic’s Demands Rejected

However, Epic didn’t get everything it wanted from this ruling. The court rejected some of its demands, including:

• A six-year regulation period instead of the granted three years.
• Permission for users to sideload apps with a single tap.
• Decoupling Google’s Android APIs from the Google Play Store.

What Epic Games Says

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, is celebrating this as a big win. He announced that the Epic Games Store will be available on Google Play by 2025, free from Google’s usual fees and warning screens.

Google’s Response

Meanwhile, Google is planning to appeal the decision. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, expressed concerns that the changes could negatively impact privacy, security, and competition. Google argues that the ruling contradicts a previous court decision in the Apple case, noting that Android is already an open platform that allows for sideloading and multiple app stores.

Mulholland warned that these changes could harm consumers, developers, and device manufacturers in the long run. Google intends to request a stay on the ruling while it appeals the decision, aiming to delay the implementation of the court-ordered changes.

How We Got Here

This all started back in August 2020 when Epic Games introduced a direct payment option in Fortnite to bypass the fees charged by Google Play and Apple’s App Store. In response, both companies removed Fortnite from their platforms, leading Epic to take legal action.

While Epic’s case against Apple ended largely in Apple’s favor, except a ruling that allows developers to link to external payment options, the battle against Google has now resulted in a much more favorable outcome for Epic Games.

Source: The Verge, VGC

Also Read:

• Epic Games Mobile Store to Add 50 Titles and Launch Free Games Program
• The Google vs Epic Games Jury Verdict