All articles tagged with #epic v google
The Verge reports that Google Play Store now hosts Aptoide, the first third‑party Android app store available in the US, a move born from the Epic v. Google case that opens Play Store to rival marketplaces. Aptoide specializes in mobile games and can be sideloaded elsewhere; more rival stores (including Epic Store) are expected to follow, with Google pursuing a broader “Registered App Store” approach in markets outside the US.
Google has appealed its Epic v. Google case to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to delay a court-ordered injunction that would limit its control over the Android app ecosystem, including requiring app developers to use Google Play Billing and allowing alternative payment methods. The case could significantly impact Google's dominance and app store policies.
Federal Judge James Donato overseeing the Epic v. Google case has vowed to investigate Google for intentionally and systematically suppressing evidence, calling it a "frontal assault on the fair administration of justice." Testimony revealed that Google automatically deleted chat messages between employees, including CEO Sundar Pichai, who admitted to not changing the auto-delete setting even after being aware of their legal obligation to preserve evidence. The judge expressed deep concern over Google's conduct but decided not to issue a mandatory inference instruction to the jury, instead allowing them to decide whether the missing evidence might have helped Epic and hurt Google. The investigation into Google's actions will be pursued separately from the trial.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai is set to testify in Epic's lawsuit against Google, where Epic alleges that Google Play is an unlawful monopoly. The outcome of the lawsuit could impact the future of Google's app store. Pichai's appearance is significant due to his decision-making role at the company, and Epic has accused Google of systematically destroying evidence.
The Epic v. Google trial has begun, with Google presenting internal emails from Epic employees suggesting that their "Project Liberty" legal strategy was questionable. Google argues that its 30% fee for app purchases on the Play Store is a market fee, not a monopoly fee, and that it competes directly with Apple's App Store. Google also defends its security measures and anti-fragmentation agreements, claiming they are necessary for user protection and app compatibility. Epic accuses Google of preventing competition in Android app stores and paying developers not to compete. The trial will determine whether Google's practices violate antitrust laws.
The witness list for the upcoming Epic v. Google trial has been released, with executives and leads from both companies set to testify. Epic listed 53 potential witnesses, including Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Google and Alphabet CFO Ruth Porat, and Epic CEO Tim Sweeney. Andy Rubin, co-founder of the Android operating system, is also on the list. Epic is suing Google over its Google Play store practices, alleging anticompetitive behavior. The trial is scheduled to begin on November 6th.