Google received a judicial setback that could change the rules of the game in the technology sector, especially applications. On Monday, a jury found that the company led by Sundar Pichai had violated antitrust rules to protect the Google Play android store from competition, harming smartphone consumers and software developers.
The Google Play store is the main place where hundreds of millions of people download and install applications for their phones. After four weeks of trial and another three hours of deliberation, the nine-person San Francisco jury sided with Epic Games.
The company that created Fornite argued during the trial that Google had maintained a monopoly in the smartphone application store market and had engaged in anti-competitive conduct that harmed the video game manufacturer.
With this ruling, the company could be forced to change its Google Play Store rules, allowing other companies to offer app stores and avoid the cut it collects from in-app purchases. Due to this last point, Google's ability to charge commissions for Android purchases could be threatened.
"Android and Google Play provide more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform. The trial made clear that we compete fiercely with Apple and its App Store, as well as app stores on Android devices and gaming consoles," said Wilson White, Google's vice president of government affairs and public policy.
"We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain deeply committed to our users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem," he added.
On the other side of the aisle, Epic Games celebrated the ruling and stressed the need for legislation to regulate this field. "Today’s 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," the company said.
