Google loses appeal in lawsuit filed by ‘Fortnite' maker Epic Games as app store verdict upheld

Core Viewpoint - Google has failed to overturn a jury verdict and federal court order requiring it to revamp its Play Store, following accusations from Epic Games of monopolistic practices in the Android app market [1][5]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Google's claims of legal errors made by the trial judge that allegedly favored Epic Games [1]. - Epic Games accused Google of monopolizing access to apps on Android devices and controlling transaction payments within those apps [2][4]. - A San Francisco jury found in favor of Epic Games in 2023, determining that Google had illegally stifled competition [4]. Group 2: Court Orders and Appeals - US District Judge James Donato ordered Google to allow users to download rival app stores and make its app catalog available to competitors [5]. - The court's decision is currently on hold pending Google's appeal, which can be further escalated to the full 9th Circuit and potentially to the US Supreme Court [5]. Group 3: Company Responses - Google expressed concerns that the appeals court ruling would harm user safety, limit choice, and undermine innovation within the Android ecosystem [6]. - Epic Games announced plans to launch the Epic Games Store for Android on the Google Play Store following the verdict [6]. Group 4: Industry Context - Google argued that its Play Store competes with Apple's App Store and claimed that the trial judge unfairly restricted its ability to present this argument [8]. - Microsoft, the Justice Department, and the Federal Trade Commission filed briefs supporting Epic Games in this case [10]. - Epic Games is also engaged in a separate legal battle with Apple regarding similar antitrust issues [10].