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.