Antitrust trial between Google and Epic Games, creator of Fortnite, reaches conclusion as Android app dispute intensifies.
In an upcoming trial in San Francisco, Alphabet’s Google will make efforts to convince a federal jury to dismiss antitrust allegations made by Epic Games, the creator of “Fortnite.” This case poses a significant risk to Google’s app store and the fees it charges Android app developers for transactions.
Lawyers for both companies are set to make their final arguments after more than a month of trial in Epic’s lawsuit, which accuses Google of illegally conspiring to dominate its Play Store over rival app stores.
A lawsuit filed in 2020 also challenges the up to 30% fee Google imposes on developers for in-app sales.
Cary, North Carolina-based Epic, which owns the popular Fortnite multiplayer shooter, said in the lawsuit that Google “supports innovation and choice” through “secret, anti-competitive agreements.”
Google has denied wrongdoing, saying it competes “fiercely on price, quality and security” against Apple’s App Store.
Epic is seeking an injunction to stop Google’s alleged monopoly over Android app distribution and in-app billing. Google has sought damages against Epic for allegedly violating the company’s developer agreement.
Google settled claims related to dating app maker Match before the trial began. The tech giant also settled US state and consumer antitrust claims under undisclosed terms.
Epic filed a similar lawsuit against Apple in 2020, but a US judge largely ruled in Apple’s favor in September 2021.
Epic has asked the US Supreme Court to revive key arguments in Apple’s case, and Apple is fighting part of Epic’s ruling that would require changes to App Store rules.
