Epic wins its antitrust lawsuit against the Play Store. What does this verdict mean for Google?
1 year, 3 months ago

Epic wins its antitrust lawsuit against the Play Store. What does this verdict mean for Google?

New Indian Express  

The jury reached its decision with just three hours of deliberation after listening to two hours of closing arguments from the lawyers on the opposing sides of the case. They sided with Epic, whose lawyer depicted Google as a ruthless bully that deploys a “bribe and block” strategy to discourage competition against its Play Store for Android apps. “If a competition were a race, it’s like Google gets to run on a nice smooth track and everyone else has to run on quicksand.” In its original lawsuit, Epic said Google “prevents app distributors from providing Android users ready access to competing app stores." Were it not for Google's “anticompetitive” behavior, Epic said in its complaint, Android users “could freely download apps from developers’ websites, rather than through an app store, just as they might do on a personal computer.” Technically, it is possible to download apps from outside of Google's Play Store, but Epic argued that for most people this is too cumbersome, requiring as many as 16 steps, for instance, to download Fortnite. In the Apple case, the judge barred the company from implementing “anti-steering provisions,” Pachter said, that is, preventing developers from steering people toward third-party payment stores outside of Apple's own app store.

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History of this topic

Why are Apple and Epic facing off against each other again?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Why are Apple and Epic facing off against each other again?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On February 3, app platform AltStore introduced a new app as “the world’s 1st Apple-approved porn app.” The new pornography app and the way it was cheekily advertised has reignited a long-time feud between iPhone-maker Apple and the game-maker Epic. Meanwhile, in the EU, the Digital Markets Act sought to foster competition by making Apple allow …

Google asks US appeals court to overturn app store verdict
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Google asks US appeals court to overturn app store verdict

The Hindu  

Lawyers for Alphabet's Google and "Fortnite" maker Epic Games squared off before a U.S. appeals court in California on Monday, as Google tries to undo a jury verdict and a judge's order forcing it to revamp its app store. U.S. District Judge James Donato ordered Google in October to restore competition by allowing users to download rival app stores within …

Google makes its appeal to overturn jury verdict branding the Play Store as illegal monopoly
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Google makes its appeal to overturn jury verdict branding the Play Store as illegal monopoly

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Google went to appeals court Monday in an attempt to convince a three-judge panel to overturn a jury’s verdict declaring its app store for Android smartphones as an illegal monopoly and block the penalties imposed by a federal judge to stop the misbehavior. In a nearly hour-long presentation in San Francisco’s Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Google …

Google to fight $4.33 billion EU antitrust fine over Android
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Google to fight $4.33 billion EU antitrust fine over Android

Live Mint  

Alphabet Inc. Google will face off against the European Commission in Luxembourg in a bid to overturn a 4.12 billion euro antitrust fine. The 2018 fine—among the largest the commission has ever issued over antitrust abuses—took aim at Google’s Android operating system. The European Union regulator alleged that Google unfairly used its dominance to strongarm device manufacturers and network operators …

India's Competition Commission starts new probe into Google's app store policies following Winzo’s complaint
3 months, 3 weeks ago

India's Competition Commission starts new probe into Google's app store policies following Winzo’s complaint

Firstpost  

Winzo’s claims that Google, through its Play Store, imposes unreasonable terms on app developers via its Developer Distribution Agreement and Developer Program Policies. These policies create a one-sided relationship that limit developers’ ability to operate fairly in the market This investigation is not Google’s first brush with India’s competition watchdog. The probe centres around allegations that Google’s app store policies …

Google's AI-Fueled Profits Continue Despite Regulatory Threats
Trending News
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Google's AI-Fueled Profits Continue Despite Regulatory Threats

Associated Press  

Google's financial performance remains strong despite challenges from AI and regulatory scrutiny. The company's profits and revenue increased due to its moneymaking machine powered by its search engine, but this is primarily attributed to the AI investments. The company is facing legal challenges from the US Department of Justice and Virginia state authorities regarding its search engine and digital advertising …

Judge delays order in antitrust case requiring Google to open up its app store
5 months ago

Judge delays order in antitrust case requiring Google to open up its app store

LA Times  

A panel of judges will be given time to consider Google’s appeal of the 2023 trial focused on antitrust claims lodged by video game maker Epic Games. A federal judge on Friday delayed an order requiring Google to open up its Android app store to more competition until an appeals court decides whether to block the shake-up because of legal …

Judge delays order in antitrust case requiring Google to open up its app store
5 months ago

Judge delays order in antitrust case requiring Google to open up its app store

The Independent  

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U.S. weighs Google breakup in landmark trial
5 months, 1 week ago

U.S. weighs Google breakup in landmark trial

Raw Story  

The U.S. Department of Justice said on Tuesday it would demand that Google make profound changes to how it does business and even consider the possibility of a breakup, after the tech juggernaut was found to be running an illegal monopoly. Determining how to address Google's wrongs is the next stage of a landmark antitrust trial that saw the company …

Federal judge orders Google to open its Android app store to competition
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Federal judge orders Google to open its Android app store to competition

The Independent  

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Fortnite Maker Epic Games Sues Google & Samsung Over Play Store Rules, South Korean Manufacturer Responds
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Fortnite Maker Epic Games Sues Google & Samsung Over Play Store Rules, South Korean Manufacturer Responds

ABP News  

Legal cases for Fortnite maker Epic Games seems to be an everending loop. Epic Games has now sued Google and Samsung of conspiring to protect Google Play store from competition. The Fortnite maker filed a lawsuit in the US federal court in California accusing Samsung mobile security feature called Auto Blocker of intending to deter users from downloading apps from …

Epic Games expands feud with Google in suit over Samsung phone settings
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Epic Games expands feud with Google in suit over Samsung phone settings

LA Times  

Epic Games expanded its antitrust legal fight with Google by accusing the tech giant of conspiring with Samsung Electronics Co. to block rival app marketplaces. Epic Games Inc. expanded its antitrust legal fight with Alphabet Inc.’s Google by accusing the tech giant of conspiring with Samsung Electronics Co. to block rival app marketplaces through default settings on mobile devices sold …

Sundar Pichai says antitrust trials may drag for years: ‘Really harms Google…'
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Sundar Pichai says antitrust trials may drag for years: ‘Really harms Google…'

Hindustan Times  

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said it will take many years to resolve Google’s antitrust battles, implying that they do not pose an immediate threat to the company’s business. Where we think it really harms our ability to innovate on behalf of our users, we are going to be vigorous in defending ourselves.” Sundar Pichai indicated that Google's antitrust battles will …

US takes on Google in blockbuster antitrust trial to determine if tech firm holds unfair monopoly in online advertising
6 months, 1 week ago

US takes on Google in blockbuster antitrust trial to determine if tech firm holds unfair monopoly in online advertising

Daily Mail  

Google is back in court to answer accusations that it has cultivated an illegal monopoly on the lucrative digital ad market, marking the second attempt by the US government to possibly break up one of the most profitable companies in the world. The new antitrust case is being brought in the Eastern District of Virginia by the US Department of …

Epic Games aims to ‘fight’ Apple over ‘absurd’ app approval decision
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Epic Games aims to ‘fight’ Apple over ‘absurd’ app approval decision

Hindustan Times  

Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite, has declared its intention to continue its battle against Apple regarding changes the tech giant reportedly wants to make to Epic’s app store. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo This ongoing conflict stems from Apple’s initial rejection of Epic’s marketplace app, which was later reversed after public criticism from Epic Games’ chief executive, Tim …

Google loses bid to end US antitrust case over digital advertising
9 months, 1 week ago

Google loses bid to end US antitrust case over digital advertising

Live Mint  

By Jody Godoy - Alphabet's Google must face trial on U.S. antitrust enforcers' claim that the internet search juggernaut illegally dominates the online advertising technology market, a federal judge ruled on Friday. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, denied Google's motion during a hearing, according to court records. Google had argued for a win without a trial, saying …

Judge weighs proposed changes to Google’s Android app store to prevent anticompetitive tactics
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Judge weighs proposed changes to Google’s Android app store to prevent anticompetitive tactics

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Google is tried to confront the latest in a succession of legal attacks on its digital empire on Thursday as federal judge began to address anticompetitive practices in the app market for smartphones powered by its Android software. The San Francisco court hearing before U.S. District Judge James Donato comes five months after a nine-person jury decided …

Google wants judge, not jury, to decide upcoming antitrust case in Virginia
10 months ago

Google wants judge, not jury, to decide upcoming antitrust case in Virginia

Associated Press  

Google on Thursday asked that a judge, rather than a jury, decide whether it violated U.S. antitrust laws by building a monopoly on the technology that powers online advertising. The company argues in court papers filed Thursday that it’s unprecedented for a jury to decide a federal antitrust case brought by the government. The right to a jury trial, based …

Epic Games Proposes Google App Store Reforms After Antitrust Win
11 months, 1 week ago

Epic Games Proposes Google App Store Reforms After Antitrust Win

News 18  

-“Fortnite” video game maker Epic Games has urged a federal judge in California to force Google to open up its Play Store to greater competition after a jury found the U.S. tech giant had abused its power as a gatekeeper for apps on the Android mobile platform. Epic made its proposal in a court filing on Thursday to U.S. District …

Who will win the fight between Apple and the White House?
1 year ago

Who will win the fight between Apple and the White House?

The Independent  

Apple did not mince its words. But while the action was met with near-hysterical approval by consumer groups and campaigners, and described in existential terms by Apple itself, the corporation’s shares fell by only 4 per cent. Apple’s tactic all along has been to stress that, as co-founder and guru Steve Jobs eulogised, the reason the iPhone has grown so …

Apple sued over iPhone monopoly by US justice department in landmark antitrust case
1 year ago

Apple sued over iPhone monopoly by US justice department in landmark antitrust case

Hindustan Times  

The United States Justice Department launched a significant lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, alleging that the tech giant has created an unlawful monopoly in the smartphone industry, limiting competition and hindering innovation. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New Jersey, accuses Apple of holding a monopoly in the smartphone market and utilising its dominance over the iPhone to …

Meta, Microsoft, X are teaming up to fight Apple’s plan to open up App Store to other external payment options
1 year ago

Meta, Microsoft, X are teaming up to fight Apple’s plan to open up App Store to other external payment options

Firstpost  

Meta Platforms Inc, Microsoft Corp, X Corp, and Match Group Inc have jointly urged a federal judge to dismiss Apple’s proposed plan to open its App Store to external payment options While Apple maintains it is complying with the court order while safeguarding the privacy and security of its app store users, it continues to seek a revenue share from …

U.S., California sue Apple, alleging company monopolized smartphone market
1 year ago

U.S., California sue Apple, alleging company monopolized smartphone market

LA Times  

The U.S. Justice Department filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, alleging that the technology giant attempted to monopolize the smartphone market. The U.S. Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general, including California’s, filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, alleging that the technology giant attempted to monopolize the smartphone market to boost its business. “Consumers …

Probe into Google's Alleged Anti-Competitive Practices Regarding Play Store Pricing
1 year ago

Probe into Google's Alleged Anti-Competitive Practices Regarding Play Store Pricing

Deccan Chronicle  

NEW DELHI: The competition watchdog on Friday ordered a probe against Google for alleged anti-competitive practices with respect to its Play Store pricing policy. “The informants are primarily aggrieved with Google's updated payment policies in relation to its proprietary app store -- Google Play Store -- which is alleged to be in violation of the competition law,” said the Competition …

Competition watchdog orders probe against Google for Playstore pricing policy. What's the issue?
1 year ago

Competition watchdog orders probe against Google for Playstore pricing policy. What's the issue?

Hindustan Times  

The competition regulator ordered an investigation against Google on Friday for suspected anti-competitive practices regarding its pricing policy on the Play Store. Google under scrutiny for alleged discriminatory payment policies on Play Store The Competition Commission of India said that the informants were primarily concerned about Google's revised payment policies related to its proprietary app store, Google Play Store, which …

Apple reverses course and clears way for Epic Games to set up rival iPhone app store in Europe
1 year ago

Apple reverses course and clears way for Epic Games to set up rival iPhone app store in Europe

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Apple reverses course and clears way for Epic Games to set up rival iPhone app store in Europe
1 year ago

Apple reverses course and clears way for Epic Games to set up rival iPhone app store in Europe

Associated Press  

Apple has reversed course under regulatory pressure and cleared the way for a nettlesome adversary, video game maker Epic Games, to set up an alternative store for iPhone apps in Europe. But a new set of regulations called the Digital Marketing Act, or DMA, that took effect in European Union’s 27-nation bloc earlier this week cleared the way for other …

European regulators want to question Apple after it blocks Epic Games app store
1 year ago

European regulators want to question Apple after it blocks Epic Games app store

Associated Press  

LONDON — European Union regulators said they want to question Apple over accusations that it blocked video game company Epic Games from setting up its own app store, in a possible violation of digital rules that took effect in the 27-nation bloc Thursday. Epic asserted Wednesday that Apple thwarted its attempt to set up its own iOS app marketplace to …

Apple blocks Epic Games from launch new app store for iPhones in EU, escalates feud
1 year ago

Apple blocks Epic Games from launch new app store for iPhones in EU, escalates feud

Firstpost  

Apple’s denial of Epic’s application could prompt scrutiny of its compliance with the DMA. This development follows Apple’s recent adjustments to its app distribution policies in response to feedback, aiming to align with the DMA’s requirements Apple’s denial of Epic's application could prompt scrutiny of its compliance with the DMA. This development follows Apple’s recent adjustments to its app distribution …

Apple terminates Fortnite maker Epic Games' developer account
1 year ago

Apple terminates Fortnite maker Epic Games' developer account

Hindustan Times  

On Wednesday, Fortnite maker Epic Games’ CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Apple has rejected their application for a developer account necessary to launch their app store in Europe. Sweeney expressed his disapproval of Apple’s actions, stating, “The manner in which Apple is going about killing Epic here as a competitor to the App Store is super egregious. The friction between …

Supreme Court rebuffs Apple’s appeal on app payments, threatening billions in revenue
1 year, 2 months ago

Supreme Court rebuffs Apple’s appeal on app payments, threatening billions in revenue

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed a court order to take effect that could loosen Apple’s grip on its lucrative iPhone app store, threatening to siphon billions of dollars away from one of the world’s most profitable companies., The justices rejected Apple’s appeal of lower-court rulings that found some of Apple’s app store rules for apps purchased on …

Apple may have just lost big at the Supreme Court
1 year, 2 months ago

Apple may have just lost big at the Supreme Court

LA Times  

The Supreme Court declined to take up Apple’s appeal of lower-court rulings that found some of Apple’s app store rules for apps purchased on more than 1 billion iPhones constitute unfair competition under California law. The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed a court order to take effect that could loosen Apple’s grip on its lucrative iPhone app store, potentially siphoning …

US Supreme Court rejects Fortnite-maker Epic Games' bid to open iPhone to alternative app stores
1 year, 2 months ago

US Supreme Court rejects Fortnite-maker Epic Games' bid to open iPhone to alternative app stores

New Indian Express  

WSHINGTON: The CEO of Fortnite-maker Epic Games said Tuesday the company's court battle to open up Apple's iPhone to alternative app stores was lost after the US Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Epic in 2020 launched a case aiming to break Apple's grip on the App Store, accusing the iPhone maker of operating a monopoly in its shop …

Google to pay $700 million to US states, consumers in app store settlement
1 year, 3 months ago

Google to pay $700 million to US states, consumers in app store settlement

Associated Press  

Google has agreed to pay $700 million and make several other concessions to settle allegations that it had been stifling competition against its Android app store — the same issue that went to trial in another case that could result in even bigger changes. Although Google struck the deal with state attorneys general in September, the settlement’s terms weren’t revealed …

Google to pay $700 million to U.S. states, consumers in app store settlement
1 year, 3 months ago

Google to pay $700 million to U.S. states, consumers in app store settlement

LA Times  

A federal jury has decided that Google’s Android app store has been protected by anticompetitive barriers that damage smartphone consumers and software developers, dealing a blow to a major pillar of a technology empire. Google also agreed to make other changes designed to make it even easier for consumers to download and install Android apps from other outlets besides its …

Google to pay $700 million in case over whether its app store is an illegal monopoly
1 year, 3 months ago

Google to pay $700 million in case over whether its app store is an illegal monopoly

NPR  

Google to pay $700 million in case over whether its app store is an illegal monopoly Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Chiu/AP Jeff Chiu/AP Google has agreed to pay $700 million and will make changes to its app store it has resisted for years in order to resolve a an antitrust lawsuit brought by state attorneys general, the company …

Epic vs. Google: What changes will we see on our phones?
1 year, 3 months ago

Epic vs. Google: What changes will we see on our phones?

Slate  

There’s a middleman living in your phone. Epic wants developers to be able to list their apps on the Google Play Store—with lower fees, of course—but it also wants the freedom to offer users its own app store and billing system. Moss says she expects that Donato may opt for the lowest-hanging fruit, perhaps by issuing an injunction against Google’s …

Google's and Apple's walled gardens will survive Epic’s court win
1 year, 3 months ago

Google's and Apple's walled gardens will survive Epic’s court win

Live Mint  

A San Francisco jury took less than four hours to decide on Monday that Google was running an illegal monopoly designed to exact huge fees from app developers. Epic, which sued both Google parent Alphabet Inc and Apple in 2020, was being kicked out of Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store for attempting to circumvent these app stores’ required …

Does the Epic v. Google ruling spell the beginning of the end for Google?
1 year, 3 months ago

Does the Epic v. Google ruling spell the beginning of the end for Google?

Slate  

Two years after losing out in an antitrust case meant to puncture Apple’s dominance of the smartphone-app marketplace, the video game juggernaut Epic Games has finally notched a historic victory—one worthy of its name—against a different Big Tech giant. Epic Games’ attorneys, who simultaneously filed lawsuits against Apple and Google back in 2020, had lodged similar accusations against both companies, …

Epic wins its antitrust lawsuit against the Play Store. What does this verdict mean for Google?
1 year, 3 months ago

Epic wins its antitrust lawsuit against the Play Store. What does this verdict mean for Google?

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Google lost an antitrust lawsuit over barriers to its Android app store, as a federal court jury has decided that the company’s payments system was anticompetitive and damaged smartphone consumers and software developers. They sided with Epic, whose lawyer depicted Google as a ruthless bully that deploys a “bribe and block” strategy to discourage competition against its …

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games
55 years, 2 months ago

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games

Wired  

Epic says in an unsigned blog post that the “verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world. It proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal and they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition and reduce innovation.” It called on regulators and legislators to take action to “address Apple and Google strangleholds …

Epic Games wins antitrust lawsuit against Google over barriers to its Android app store
1 year, 3 months ago

Epic Games wins antitrust lawsuit against Google over barriers to its Android app store

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal court jury has decided that Google’s Android app store has been protected by anticompetitive barriers that have damaged smartphone consumers and software developers, dealing a blow to a major pillar of a technology empire. The nine-person jury in the Play Store case apparently saw things through a different lens, even though Google technically allows Android …

Google loses antitrust fight with ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games
1 year, 3 months ago

Google loses antitrust fight with ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games

LA Times  

Braden Dunlap dances with Fortnite’s Tricera Ops, right, and Frozen Red Knight during Comic-Con International’s Preview Night at the San Diego Convention Center in 2019. Google’s mobile app store maintains a monopoly in the market for distribution of programs and payments on its Android software, a federal jury in California has decided, dealing a blow to the technology giant in …

CEO of Fortnite game maker casts Google as a ‘crooked’ bully in testimony during Android app trial
1 year, 4 months ago

CEO of Fortnite game maker casts Google as a ‘crooked’ bully in testimony during Android app trial

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney on Monday portrayed Google as a ruthless bully that resorts to shady tactics to protect a predatory payment system. Unlike Apple’s iPhone app store, Google already allows competition to the Play Store — something that Epic tried to do when it decided to roll out Fortnite for Android phones in 2018 on …

Google Play Store Trial: Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai Admits To 'Automatically' Not Retaining Documents
1 year, 4 months ago

Google Play Store Trial: Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai Admits To 'Automatically' Not Retaining Documents

ABP News  

In a federal court session on Tuesday, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai admitted to occasionally designating documents as "privileged" and maintaining a setting that caused internal conversations to automatically delete after one day. Pichai's appearance in a San Francisco court was part of Alphabet's Google defence against a lawsuit by Epic Games, alleging that the app store policies constitute an unlawful …

Google CEO Sundar Pichai returns to court to defend internet company for second time in two weeks
1 year, 4 months ago

Google CEO Sundar Pichai returns to court to defend internet company for second time in two weeks

Associated Press  

Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Tuesday was summoned to federal court for the second time in two weeks to testify in an antitrust trial threatening to topple a pillar of an internet empire that he helped build. A key part of Google’s defense against that allegations that its Play Store is running an illegal monopoly on Android apps hinges on …

Why Google Was Happy To Pay $147 Million To Get Fortnite On Play Store For Android Users
1 year, 4 months ago

Why Google Was Happy To Pay $147 Million To Get Fortnite On Play Store For Android Users

News 18  

Google has been sharing a lot of interesting details over the past few weeks as the company tackles multiple lawsuits over its business practice. Similarly, Google and Epic Games had discussions around the prospect of getting Fortnite on the Play Store for which Google was willing to pay over $140 million to the developer. Resisting the temptation from Google, the …

Google offer Epic Games $147 mn to launch Fortnite on Play Store
1 year, 4 months ago

Google offer Epic Games $147 mn to launch Fortnite on Play Store

India TV News  

Google offer Epic Games $147 mn to launch Fortnite on Play Store Epic has been reportedly arguing on Google's monopolistic control over the Play Store for Android users, which has been violating both the state and federal antitrust laws. Google has reportedly offered a USD 147 million deal to Epic Games- the game developer popularly known for the Fortnite game …

Fortnite maker accuses Google of bullying and bribing to block competition to its Android app store
1 year, 4 months ago

Fortnite maker accuses Google of bullying and bribing to block competition to its Android app store

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Google on Monday confronted the second major U.S. antitrust trial in two months to cast the internet powerhouse as a brazen bully that uses its immense wealth and people’s dependence on one of its main products to stifle competition at consumers’ expense. The trial that opened in a San Francisco federal court targets the Google Play Store …

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