Source link : https://usa-news.biz/2024/11/29/news/google-fights-back-the-epic-appeal-battle-unfolds-in-the-usa/
Google Fights Back in Epic Games Antitrust Case
In a significant legal battle, Google is contesting a ruling from an initial phase of an antitrust suit initiated by Epic Games in the United States. Following a court decision that mandated substantial alterations to Google’s Play Store operations, the company now has to allow alternative app marketplaces where developers can offer payment systems outside of Google’s control.
Legal Maneuvers and Appeals
According to coverage by Bloomberg, Google’s legal team is highlighting numerous procedural missteps linked to this case before a federal appeals court. They argue that the district court judge overlooked critical aspects, particularly the intense competition between Google and Apple. Opening up Google’s platform as ordered could severely undermine its competitive stance.
Additionally, Google contends that this matter should have been adjudicated solely by a judge rather than being placed in front of a jury. The tech giant also asserts it is not under any legal obligation to facilitate competing app stores on its platform.
The Origins of the Dispute
This contentious issue traces back to August 2020 when Epic Games filed their lawsuit against both Apple and Google after introducing its own payment method within their applications for games like Fortnite. This move was intended as a protest against what Epic perceived as exorbitant fees and monopolistic practices imposed by these app store operators on developers.
The Outcome Against Apple
While Epic’s litigation against Apple largely did not succeed, jurors sided with the antitrust allegations regarding Google in December 2023, concluding that the company had engaged in collusion worth billions with hardware manufacturers such as Samsung. The verdict revealed that Google provided these companies with cut-backs from Play Store revenue contingent upon prioritizing the Play Store over other platforms on their devices.
Status of Current Rulings
District Judge James Donato has temporarily paused implementing his ruling pending further proceedings. The appellate court in San Francisco now faces decisions regarding how best to address this case: whether they will suspend enforcement during appeal discussions or order immediate compliance while still hearing arguments on appeal. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 3, 2025.
Further Legal Challenges from Epic Gaming
Additively, Epic Games escalated its confrontations through additional lawsuits targeting both Google and Samsung in September for purportedly colluding against independent app store operators.
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This article was first published in German and has undergone professional translation along with editorial oversight before making it available here.
The post Google Fights Back: The Epic Appeal Battle Unfolds in the USA! first appeared on USA NEWS.
Author : Jean-Pierre CHALLOT
Publish date : 2024-11-29 22:55:08
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