He was convicted last year of abuse of a dominant position Regarding Android applications, Google was forced to make major changes on Tuesday, October 7, by the American justice system. Changes the search engine hopes to delay pending the results of its appeal.
In this case, Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Mountain View. The publisher of the video game Fortnite, which it accused of implementing anti-competitive practices to maintain its near-monopoly on mobile app distribution on Android smartphones, forcing developers to pay it commissions on every purchase and subscription.
Third-party stores on Play Store
Since the ruling was issued at the end of 2023, the two companies have clashed in court to determine corrective measures. The judge finally ruled on the case, after the majority of Epic’s requests. Its instructions will be in effect for three years, which is the time to allow real competitors access to the Play Store, Google’s mobile application store.
During this period, third-party app stores will be able to be present directly on the Play Store, making them much easier to install by Android smartphone users. They will be able to offer the entire Play Store catalog automatically, unless developers refuse individually.
Prohibition of financial agreements
The judge also orders the termination of financial agreements that the search engine has with mobile operators and manufacturers so that they do not pre-install competing app stores on their smartphones. And also with publishers, including Activision and Nintendo, that only distribute their video games on the Play Store.
Finally, fairness raises questions about the obligation to use Google’s payment system. App developers will be able to use another service. They will also be able to freely set their prices. However, the judge believes the company will still be able to collect a commission, without specifying its amount.
Temporarily suspend the implementation of the ruling?
The court’s decision will take effect on November 1. Google will then have eight months to implement it, with the possibility of implementing it “Responsible measures” To ensure the security of its platform. A three-person committee will be responsible for examining them.
However, it is very likely that implementation will be delayed; Indeed, Google will appeal the ruling, with a request to temporarily suspend the ruling. This opens the way for a new trial, which may be more appropriate because its outcome will not be determined by a popular jury. The case could then reach the U.S. Supreme Court. In other words, its results will take several more years.
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