Google loses antitrust case in California
Google has lost its antitrust court battle filed by Epic Games three years ago. A California federal jury decided in favour of Epic Games, maintaining that Google has a monopoly in its app store's distribution and payments market. Epic suggested that Google used its monopolistic position to squeeze out profit from app developers.
The jury took just three hours to deliberate following a four-week trial.
Google plans to challenge the verdict and said in a statement that "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. We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain deeply committed to our users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem."
Now it falls on a a U.S. District Court judge in California to decide if Google must allow payment and distribution outside its own Google Play app store. Thus, there is a potential for Google to lose billions in commissions that come from its Play Store.
The trial's result will not have a direct impact on the main way the company earns money — online ads linked mainly to its services like its search engine, Gmail, and others.
Epic wrote that the verdict was "a win for all app developers and consumers around the world."
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Russell Shor
Senior Market Specialist
Russell Shor joined FXCM in October 2017 as a Senior Market Specialist. He is a certified FMVA® and has an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of South Africa. Russell is a full member of the Society of Technical Analysts in the United Kingdom. With over 20 years of financial markets experience, his analysis is of a high standard and quality.
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