A U.S. federal appeals court has dismissed Google’s attempt to overturn the 2023 jury verdict in its high-profile antitrust case with Epic Games. The court reaffirmed that Google’s practices surrounding its Play Store violated antitrust laws by suppressing competition and maintaining an illegal monopoly on Android app distribution and payments.

Epic’s Lawsuit Triggers Market Shake-up

Epic Games, best known for its blockbuster game Fortnite, originally sued Google in 2020, arguing that Google’s control over app payments and distribution was anti-competitive. In a major win for Epic, the jury found that Google had engaged in unlawful practices, including secret revenue-sharing deals with top developers to discourage competition.

Court Rejects Google’s Monopoly Defense

In its appeal, Google had contended that its Play Store policies benefitted users and developers through enhanced security and streamlined payments. However, the appeals court found these arguments unconvincing and maintained that Google had indeed stifled competition and prevented third-party app stores from gaining ground on Android.

Potential Industry-Wide Reforms Ahead

The ruling is expected to force Google to allow more flexibility for app developers, including the ability to use alternative payment systems and app stores. This could reshape how Android users access and pay for apps, dealing a financial blow to Google’s lucrative app store revenue model.

Epic Welcomes Victory, Calls for Open Platforms

In response to the ruling, Epic Games celebrated the decision as a “milestone for app fairness.” CEO Tim Sweeney reiterated the company’s commitment to breaking the dominance of tech gatekeepers and called on regulators to enforce digital competition more aggressively.

What’s Next for Google?

Legal experts believe this case could have a domino effect, setting precedents for ongoing investigations into Apple and other platform operators. Google may still appeal to the Supreme Court, but for now, the tech titan is under intense scrutiny to reform its Android business practices.