The repercussions of the trial for Google are yet to be determined, with a decision expected in mid-January. Google intends to challenge the verdict, arguing that it competes fiercely with Apple and other app stores. The case also highlighted Google's Project Hug, which allegedly offered developers millions of dollars in free marketing to prevent them from competing with Google Play. A separate antitrust trial concerning Google's search business is still pending.
Key takeaways:
- Google lost its antitrust case against Epic Games, with a jury ruling that Google maintains a monopoly with its Google Play app store.
- Epic Games alleges that Google's app store practices are illegal and that they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition, and reduce innovation.
- Epic Games would like the judge to rule that game developers can create their own app stores and have total freedom to use their own billing system.
- Another antitrust trial concerning Google's search business is still pending, with a verdict expected next year.