Google to ask US appeals court to overturn app store monopoly ruling

Core Viewpoint - The legal battle between Google and Epic Games centers on allegations of Google's monopolistic practices in the app store market, with a federal appeals court set to hear Google's appeal against a ruling that favored Epic Games [1][2][3]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - Google is appealing a 2023 antitrust ruling that found it had stifled competition, arguing that the trial judge made legal errors that unfairly benefited Epic Games [1][2][12]. - The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals is considering Google's appeal, which includes a request to overturn a judge's order requiring changes to its app store [3][11]. - Epic Games is opposing Google's appeal, asserting that the company has engaged in a long-term strategy to suppress competition in app stores and payment solutions [6]. Group 2: Judge's Ruling and Implications - US District Judge James Donato described Google's actions as "deeply troubling" and issued an order for Google to allow rival app stores within its Google Play store [3][4]. - The judge's order is currently on hold pending the appeal, but it mandates that Google make its app catalog available to competitors [3][4]. - Google contends that the judge's ruling impacts users and developers nationwide, rather than just Epic, and argues that it is acting as a "central planner" for product design [4][14]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Google claims that its Play store faces significant competition from Apple's App Store, and argues that the trial judge allowed Epic to misrepresent the competitive landscape [4]. - In September, Epic filed a second antitrust suit against Google, alleging collusion with Samsung to hinder rival app developers [13]. - Microsoft, the US Justice Department, and the Federal Trade Commission have filed briefs in support of Epic Games in this legal dispute [10].