On October 7th, Judge James Donato issued his final judgment in the Epic Games v. Google case. as discovered by The VergeThe ruling orders Google to make a number of notable changes to the Google Play Store to give more power to third-party Android app stores.
Most importantly, Google needs to make an alternative app store available on Google Play. This means we should soon see third-party stores like the Epic Games Store on Google Play. Additionally, to build a competitive service, third-party app stores must allow distribution of all the same apps available on Google Play.
Other changes Google would need to make to comply with this ruling include:
- You may not share revenue generated by Google Play with any person or entity that distributes or plans to distribute Android apps.
- You can’t pay a developer to launch an Android app first or only on Google Play
- You can’t pay developers to keep their apps from launching in competing app stores.
- You can’t pay an OEM or carrier to preinstall Google Play on your device
- Cannot pay OEMs or carriers to not pre-install competing app stores on devices
- Apps on Google Play can’t require the use of Google Play billing services or prevent developers from informing users of other payment options
- We can’t prevent developers from informing users about the availability or pricing of non-Google Play apps, or from providing links to non-Google Play apps.
The injunction covers the United States and will go into effect on November 1, 2024. Most provisions will remain in effect until November 1, 2027. Although this is less than the six years Epic had hoped for, Judge Donato explained that “the provision is intended to level the playing field.” Facilitate the entry and growth of competitors without putting undue strain on Google. ”
Regarding these third-party app stores, Google says they have “up to eight months to implement the necessary technology and procedures to comply with this provision, and once the technology and procedures are fully operational, three The year period begins.” Google can ensure that the Store and the apps it offers are safe, legal, and do not violate the company’s content standards.
LeeAnne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulation, announced in a blog post that the company does indeed intend to appeal the judge’s final verdict. She argues that “while these changes will likely satisfy Epic, they will cause a variety of unintended consequences that will harm U.S. consumers, developers, and device manufacturers.”
