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Ninth Circuit Upholds Epic Games Verdict, Forcing Google to Open Play Store to Rivals

The panel’s ruling affirms a federal order to admit rival app stores into Google’s Android marketplace, clearing the path for Epic’s store to arrive under a looming Supreme Court appeal

A logo is pictured at Google's European Engineering Center in Zurich, Switzerland July 19, 2018. Picture taken July 19, 2018.  REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
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Overview

  • A unanimous three-judge panel rejected Google’s appeal of a 2023 jury verdict and Judge Donato’s injunction, reaffirming that existing Play Store practices violate antitrust laws.
  • The original order compels Google to allow Android users to download third-party app stores through Play and to grant those stores access to Play’s comprehensive app catalog.
  • Epic Games announced that it will bring its Epic Games Store to Google’s Android marketplace immediately under the affirmed court order.
  • Microsoft, the U.S. Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission filed briefs supporting Epic’s position, reflecting broader industry and regulatory backing for opening mobile app markets.
  • Google plans to seek a rehearing by the full Ninth Circuit before appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the mandated changes could undermine user safety and security.