Epic Games has emerged victorious in its antitrust trial against Google, with the jury ruling that Google’s practices with its Google Play store and billing service constitute an illegal monopoly. Now, Epic is pushing for significant changes, including the ability to have its Android version of the Epic Games Store live inside Google Play, access to every app on the platform, and easier app sideloading for Android users. However, whether all these demands will be granted remains to be seen, as Judge James Donato will make the final decision.
In a 16-page proposed injunction, Epic has outlined a list of requests aimed at leveling the playing field between third-party app stores and Google Play, as well as between third-party billing systems and Google Play Billing. While these demands may seem ambitious, it is important to note that this document is just the starting point for negotiations between Epic and Google. Both parties will have the opportunity to present their arguments, with Google expected to file its response by May 2nd, followed by a hearing on May 23rd where experts from both sides will weigh in.
Despite Epic’s bold requests, it is unlikely that a judge will grant all of them without further deliberation. The document serves as a preliminary step in a complex legal process, with Google expected to appeal the decision once the district court case reaches its conclusion. As the negotiations progress, it will be interesting to see how both parties navigate the legal landscape and reach a resolution that addresses the concerns raised in the trial.