Judge Allows Google to Temporarily Keep Android App Store Exclusive

Google recently secured a minor but significant victory in its ongoing legal dispute with Epic Games. The tech company requested that Judge James Donato delay his November 1st deadline, which required substantial changes to Google’s Android app store policies. Epic Games and Google confirmed to The Verge that Judge Donato has temporarily granted Google an administrative stay, potentially allowing the company to maintain its current Play Store practices for an extended period as it appeals the ruling.

In December, a jury had unanimously ruled that Google’s Play Store constituted an illegal monopoly. Google is currently appealing both this verdict and the court’s mandate. The temporary administrative stay gives the appeals court time to consider a longer suspension of the verdict. Judge Donato expressed his belief that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals might grant a more extended stay, but he opted not to grant one himself.

Had the original deadline remained, developers could have circumvented Google’s Play Billing starting November 1st, and Google would have been prohibited from using specific financial incentives to retain developers. Additionally, Google would have been required to facilitate third-party app marketplaces in its Play Store within eight months. Judge Donato’s initial directive involved a significant shift in Google’s app store operations.

Google had originally been given less than a month to begin compliance, and it argued for a 90-day adjustment period, similar to what Apple received for analogous changes. With Judge Donato’s deadline now suspended, Google finds itself in a position similar to Apple’s, when it managed to postpone implementing certain App Store changes for over two years.

Without the stay, Judge Donato’s ruling would have had immediate implications for consumers and developers. Microsoft had planned to enable game purchases and plays via the Xbox Android App, and Epic Games intended to launch the Epic Games Store on Google Play next year. These changes may be delayed if the Ninth Circuit grants a stay.

Google expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision to pause the implementation of what it described as “dangerous remedies” demanded by Epic Games. The company is optimistic about continuing to argue its case to safeguard its platforms, which benefit millions of U.S. Android users and developers. Meanwhile, Epic Games declined to provide a comment on the court’s decision.

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