Fortnite's creators win again against Google in a historic trial

Epic Games has once again won a lawsuit against Google, marking a turning point in the Android system. The court decision could require allowing the installation of alternative stores directly from the Play Store.

The lawsuit between both companies lasted for years and concluded in 2023 with a ruling that declared Google's monopoly over Android illegal. Now, the appeal has been rejected and the verdict is final.

What changes after this legal victory?

According to Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney, the Epic Games Store will be able to be distributed directly from the Google Play Store. Until now, it could only be installed through an external APK.

This not only benefits Epic Games, but also opens the door for other app stores to enter the Android ecosystem without relying on agreements with Google.

Google was accused of maintaining a monopoly

The previous verdict determined that Google had an "illegal monopoly" due to its business practices and agreements with third parties. Now, the U.S. justice system has upheld that ruling, citing well-established antitrust principles.

Many of Google's agreements with manufacturers and developers were considered anticompetitive. This decision nullifies its initial appeal.

What did Epic Games say after the ruling was announced?

Tim Sweeney celebrated the resolution as a "total" victory on social media. He stated that the ruling will allow him to bring his game store to more users without legal obstacles.

He also hinted that Google would not have legal tools to prevent Epic's store from being published on the Play Store. For now, there are no court measures preventing it.

Google is preparing a new appeal

In a conversation with The Verge, Google spokespersons stated that they will seek to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. They claim that the decision "harms security and limits user choices."

They insist that the priority is to protect the Android ecosystem and that the presence of third-party stores may pose risks for consumers. However, a Google expert acknowledged that the company has technology to manage this type of integration.

A new scenario for Android

The possibility of installing alternative stores from the Play Store could revolutionize the way apps are downloaded on Android. It would no longer be necessary to leave Google's ecosystem to access external content.