The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has formally supported the ruling in the Epic Games vs Google lawsuit, which began in 2020. The courts affirmed that Google’s Play Store and associated payment mechanisms operate as monopolies. Epic’s co-founder and CEO Tim Sweeney expressed his enthusiasm on social media: ‘Total victory in the Epic v Google appeal!’

Despite this ruling, Google retains the option to contest the decision at the Supreme Court. The verdict obligates Google to comply with previous judgments that restrict its ability to incentivize phone manufacturers into pre-installing its Play Store and mandates the inclusion of third-party app stores on Android devices.

Moreover, any third-party store must have adequate access to Play Store apps, ensuring competitive alternatives can emerge.

Sweeney noted that this ruling could lead to the Epic Games Store being available on the Google Play Store and highlighted that their platform includes other PC stores like itch.io and GOG Galaxy.

Conversely, Google has voiced its dissatisfaction, claiming that this decision could harm user security, limit choices, and undermine innovation—core to the Android ecosystem. They maintain that their priority is to protect users, developers, and partners while continuing their appeal.

Epic Games
(Image credit: DICE)

In summary, this case marks a significant moment in app distribution rights and sets a precedent for how tech giants operate in the marketplace.