"Epic sued Google over five years ago in August 2020, and in December 2023 a jury unanimously handed it the win. An appeals court upheld that verdict, and the US Supreme Court didn't step in to save Google from the immediate consequences. Judge Donato ordered Google to crack open Android in the United States, forcing Google to eventually host rival app stores inside its own store, among many other punishments."
"Now, Epic and Google are giving Judge Donato two different options. If he approves the settlement as-is, Google will agree to reduce its app store fees globally, not just in the United States, making app development a better job prospect around the world, and create a Registered App Stores program where rival app stores could make it onto Android without gobs of friction - but where those stores might still be under Google's thumb and have to pay complicated fees."
A US federal court hearing will determine whether a settlement between Epic Games and Google can replace Judge James Donato's remedies for Google's Android app-store monopoly. Epic sued Google in August 2020; a December 2023 jury ruled for Epic, an appeals court upheld the verdict, and the Supreme Court declined to intervene. Judge Donato ordered remedies requiring Google to open Android in the United States, including hosting rival app stores within Google Play. Under the proposed settlement Google would reduce app-store fees globally and create a Registered App Stores program, though rival stores could remain subject to complex Google conditions. If the settlement fails, Google appears to require developers who avoid its payment systems to enroll in restrictive programs that charge per-download fees in exchange for slightly lower store fees. Epic and Google have already signaled the settlement by returning Fortnite to Android and publicly supporting the deal, while the judge has expressed skepticism about their sudden rapprochement.
Read at The Verge
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