The ongoing legal battles between Epic Games and Google have taken an interesting turn recently. After Epic Games surprised many with a trial win, Judge James Donato has ordered Google to calculate the costs of allowing the Epic Games Store to exist within its own Google Play Store. This includes giving access to all apps available in the Google Play Store, a significant request from Epic Games.
By June 24th, Google must provide a detailed estimate of the technological work and potential economic costs involved in granting “Catalog Access” and “Library Porting” to competing app stores for up to six years. This directive stems from Epic’s 16-page list of demands, with item 7 standing out as the potential game-changer that would require Google to open up its entire app catalog.
Another major demand being considered by Judge Donato is the proposal for Google to host other third-party app stores within the Google Play Store for a six-year period. This move, if approved, could significantly alter the app store landscape on Android devices. Epic will have the opportunity to challenge Google’s estimates and provide a rebuttal before a final hearing scheduled for August 14th.
During an evidentiary hearing, Judge Donato expressed skepticism towards Google’s arguments against Epic’s proposed remedies. However, he also pointed out that some of Epic’s requests were deemed “open-ended and too vague.” This indicates that while the judge is receptive to certain aspects of Epic’s demands, he expects more specificity and clarity in their proposals.
Following its legal victory, Epic Games has been actively working on a version of its game store for Android. If Google is ultimately required to comply with Epic’s demands, it could mark a significant shift in the dynamics of the app store ecosystem on Android devices. The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching consequences for both companies and the broader tech industry.
The ongoing legal saga between Epic Games and Google continues to unfold with unexpected twists and turns. While Epic’s trial win has put pressure on Google to reconsider its app store policies, the final resolution of this case remains uncertain. As both parties prepare for the upcoming hearings, the tech world watches closely to see how this high-stakes battle will ultimately play out.
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