A federal judge has granted Google a relief in its ongoing legal battle with Epic Games , temporarily halting a ruling that would have forced significant changes to the Google Play Store . However, Google is still required to comply with one aspect of the original order, according to a report.
As per The Verge, starting November 1, the injunction on payment and revenue share is not stayed. The injunction reads:
For a period of three years ending on November 1, 2027, Google may not condition a payment, revenue share, or access to any Google product or service, on an agreement with an OEM or carrier not to preinstall an Android app distribution platform or store other than the Google Play Store.
US District Judge James Donato granted Google's request to pause his October 7 injunction. The pause will remain in effect until the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rules on Google's separate request for a longer stay during its appeal of the case.
“We're pleased with the District Court's decision to temporarily pause the implementation of dangerous remedies demanded by Epic, as the Court of Appeal considers our request to further pause the remedies while we appeal,” a Google spokesperson said.
Why Google is being penalised
Epic Games, maker of the popular game “Fortnite,” challenged Google's control over the Android app market . A December 2023 ruling that found Google guilty of illegally monopolising the Android app market could have significant financial implications for the tech giant.
The initial injunction permitted alternative payment systems within apps, and stopped paying device makers to pre-install the Google Play Store. These changes could disrupt the Play Store's estimated $14.66 billion in annual revenue.
Google argued that implementing these changes so quickly would introduce "serious safety, security and privacy risks" to Android users.
As per The Verge, starting November 1, the injunction on payment and revenue share is not stayed. The injunction reads:
For a period of three years ending on November 1, 2027, Google may not condition a payment, revenue share, or access to any Google product or service, on an agreement with an OEM or carrier not to preinstall an Android app distribution platform or store other than the Google Play Store.
US District Judge James Donato granted Google's request to pause his October 7 injunction. The pause will remain in effect until the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rules on Google's separate request for a longer stay during its appeal of the case.
“We're pleased with the District Court's decision to temporarily pause the implementation of dangerous remedies demanded by Epic, as the Court of Appeal considers our request to further pause the remedies while we appeal,” a Google spokesperson said.
Why Google is being penalised
Epic Games, maker of the popular game “Fortnite,” challenged Google's control over the Android app market . A December 2023 ruling that found Google guilty of illegally monopolising the Android app market could have significant financial implications for the tech giant.
The initial injunction permitted alternative payment systems within apps, and stopped paying device makers to pre-install the Google Play Store. These changes could disrupt the Play Store's estimated $14.66 billion in annual revenue.
Google argued that implementing these changes so quickly would introduce "serious safety, security and privacy risks" to Android users.
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