Google Appeals Antitrust Verdict in Play Store Case
San Francisco, CA - Google has filed an appeal to overturn a verdict declaring its Android Play Store an illegal monopoly. The three-judge panel will consider arguments from Google and Epic Games, the video game maker that brought the case.
Google argues that the trial court erred in defining the relevant market, excluding Apple's App Store from consideration. They also maintain that the case should have been decided by a judge, not a jury.
Epic counters that the market definition was appropriate and that the jury's verdict was justified. They argue that Google's Play Store has stifled innovation and raised prices.
In a separate case, Fortnite maker Epic Games also sued Apple for antitrust violations over its App Store. That case resulted in a different outcome, with a judge siding with Apple.
The appeals court acknowledged differences between the Android and Apple ecosystems but expressed skepticism about Google's market definition. They noted Google's licensing of Android software to multiple smartphone makers, unlike Apple's closed ecosystem.
Epic attorney Gary Bornstein accused Google of attempting to preserve its monopoly and its high commissions. He argued that the penalties imposed by the trial court, including opening up the Play Store to competitors, would benefit consumers.
The appeals court will issue a ruling in the coming months. Google also faces potential penalties in other antitrust cases, including a ruling that its search engine is an illegal monopoly.
Epic urged the court to affirm the jury's verdict and penalties, while Google sought to declare the verdict an advisory opinion and have the case sent back for a more detailed ruling by the trial judge.