Epic Games, the maker of the popular Fortnite game, is suing Google over its App Store practises. Epic claims that Google’s Store takes an unreasonable cut of its earnings and adds burdensome restrictions for updating the game.
Epic has previously sued and won a partial victory against Apple over its similar policy. The difference in this case is that users can download Fortnite to their phone without using Google’s own App Store. CNBC reports:
Google is headed back to court for its second antitrust trial in two months, this time in defense of its Android Play Store.
While Google continues to argue against monopoly claims brought by the Department of Justice and a bipartisan group of states in Washington, D.C., District Court, the company now has to simultaneously face off against Epic Games in a federal court in San Francisco.
Google is already facing a monopoly case in federal court. Considering Epic Games has already won a case against Apple, its chances to succeed are diminished. AP News says:
The case, stemming from a lawsuit filed by video game maker Epic Games, alleges Google has created an illegal monopoly on Android apps primarily so it can boost its profits through commissions ranging from 15% to 30% on purchases made within an app.
“The result of what Google is doing is higher prices, lower quality and less choice for everybody,” Epic attorney Gary Bornstein said Monday during a 45-minute opening statement before the 10-person jury that will decide the case.
Apple and Google have a lockdown on the smartphone market, but court decisions could still have an impact on software development. Mobile Gaming is a huge industry, capable of generating more revenue than dedicated computer or console gaming.
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