Fortnite maker Epic Games has won&nbsp;its high-profile antitrust trial against Alphabet's Google. On Monday, the Jury in the case decided that Google wields an illegal monopoly through its Play app store. Google said that it would appeal. However, the ruling could upend the entire app store economy if it holds.

<h2>The case</h2>

Back in 2020, Epic sued both Google and Apple. It accused the tech titans of abusing their control of the Play Store and App Store, their respective online shops for selling apps.

It also accused Google of taking action to quash competitors and charging unduly high "tax" fees of up to 30 per cent to app developers.

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As per Reuters, among the more sensational allegations was that&nbsp;to conceal its anti-competitive behaviour, Google had a system for deleting texts and internal messages.&nbsp;

Jurors found Google guilty of various illegal strategies to maintain its app store monopoly on Android phones.

If the ruling holds, it has the potential to give developers more sway over how their apps are distributed and how they profit from them.

<h2>Google to Appeal&nbsp;</h2>

The ruling marks a stunning, albeit rare, defeat for Google, which alongside Apple operates one of the world's largest app stores.&nbsp;

Following it, Google said that it would seek rectification via an appeal.&nbsp;

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"We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain deeply committed to our users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem," said Wilson White, vice president of government affairs and public policy at Google.

Google has denied any wrongdoing. The company argued that it competes "intensely on price, quality, and security" against Apple's App Store.

Watch |&nbsp;Google and Epic Games face off at trial over Play Store rules

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<h2>Proof of Google's 'illegal' practices</h2>

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated the ruling on the social media site X.

In a statement on its website, Epic said that the verdict "proves that Google's app store practices are illegal, and they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition and reduce innovation."

Epic's similar antitrust case against Apple failed in September 2021, when a US judge largely ruled in favour of the iPhone maker.

(With inputs from agencies)

Fortnite maker Epic Games has won its high-profile antitrust trial against Alphabet's Google. On Monday, the Jury in the case decided that Google wields an illegal monopoly through its Play app store.

Fortnite maker Epic Games has won its high-profile antitrust trial against Alphabet's Google. On Monday, the Jury in the case decided that Google wields an illegal monopoly through its Play app store. Google said that it would appeal. However, the ruling could upend the entire app store economy if it holds. The case Back in 2020, Epic sued both Google and Apple. It accused the tech titans of abusing their control of the Play Store and App Store, their respective online shops for selling apps. It also accused Google of taking action to quash competitors and charging unduly high "tax" fees of up to 30 per cent to app developers. Also read | AI to determine if the person watching porn is too young. Here's how As per Reuters, among the more sensational allegations was that to conceal its anti-competitive behaviour, Google had a system for deleting texts and internal messages. Jurors found Google guilty of various illegal strategies to maintain its app store monopoly on Android phones. If the ruling holds, it has the potential to give developers more sway over how their apps are distributed and how they profit from them. Google to Appeal The ruling marks a stunning, albeit rare, defeat for Google, which alongside Apple operates one of the world's largest app stores. Following it, Google said that it would seek rectification via an appeal. Also read | 'Taken our time to get this right': Meta to roll out end-to-end encryption for Facebook & Instagram "We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain deeply committed to our users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem," said Wilson White, vice president of government affairs and public policy at Google. Google has denied any wrongdoing. The company argued that it competes "intensely on price, quality, and security" against Apple's App Store. Watch | Google and Epic Games face off at trial over Play Store rules Proof of Google's 'illegal' practices Epic CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated the ruling on the social media site X. In a statement on its website, Epic said that the verdict "proves that Google's app store practices are illegal, and they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition and reduce innovation." Epic's similar antitrust case against Apple failed in September 2021, when a US judge largely ruled in favour of the iPhone maker. (With inputs from agencies)

Epic Games' 'epic' win: Jury finds Google guilty of monopolistic practices in antitrust trial

Google argued that the Indian antitrust tribunal should overturn a judgement against the US&nbsp;company for exploiting the dominance of its Android operating system in the country's market.

In October, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined Alphabet Inc.'s Google US$161 million for abusing its monopolistic position in markets like online search and the Android app store and demanded that it modify the limitations placed on smartphone manufacturers with regard to pre-installing apps.

Google was concerned about the Indian decision, according to sources who spoke to Reuters in October, because the remedies mandated were thought to be more extensive than those outlined in the historic 2018 decision by the European Commission that found that the restrictions placed on manufacturers of Android mobile devices were unlawful. In that instance, a record 4.1 billion euro ($4.3 billion) fine has been contested by Google.

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In its filing to an Indian appeals tribunal, Google argued that&nbsp;the CCI’s investigation unit “copy-pasted extensively from a European Commission decision, deploying evidence from Europe that was not examined in India”.

“There are more than 50 instances of copypasting”, in some cases “word-for-word”, and the watchdog erroneously dismissed the issue, Google said in its filing which is not public but has been reviewed by Reuters.

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“The Commission failed to conduct an impartial, balanced, and legally sound investigation … Google’s mobile app distribution practices are pro-competitive and not unfair/ exclusionary.”

The Indian competition verdict comes as Google is being subjected to more intense antitrust investigation globally. Google licences its Android operating system to manufacturers of smartphones, but others claim the limitations are anti-competitive.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Google argued that the Indian antitrust tribunal should overturn a judgement against the US company for exploiting the dominance of its Android operating system in the country's market.

Google argued that the Indian antitrust tribunal should overturn a judgement against the US company for exploiting the dominance of its Android operating system in the country's market. In October, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined Alphabet Inc.'s Google US$161 million for abusing its monopolistic position in markets like online search and the Android app store and demanded that it modify the limitations placed on smartphone manufacturers with regard to pre-installing apps. Google was concerned about the Indian decision, according to sources who spoke to Reuters in October, because the remedies mandated were thought to be more extensive than those outlined in the historic 2018 decision by the European Commission that found that the restrictions placed on manufacturers of Android mobile devices were unlawful. In that instance, a record 4.1 billion euro ($4.3 billion) fine has been contested by Google. Also read | EAM Jaishankar defends India's stance on Russia-Ukraine, calls out Europe on its ‘long silence’ In its filing to an Indian appeals tribunal, Google argued that the CCI’s investigation unit “copy-pasted extensively from a European Commission decision, deploying evidence from Europe that was not examined in India”. “There are more than 50 instances of copypasting”, in some cases “word-for-word”, and the watchdog erroneously dismissed the issue, Google said in its filing which is not public but has been reviewed by Reuters. Also watch | 100 drones for India’s Marine surveillance “The Commission failed to conduct an impartial, balanced, and legally sound investigation … Google’s mobile app distribution practices are pro-competitive and not unfair/ exclusionary.” The Indian competition verdict comes as Google is being subjected to more intense antitrust investigation globally. Google licences its Android operating system to manufacturers of smartphones, but others claim the limitations are anti-competitive. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Google alleges India antitrust body plagiarised parts of EU order on android abuse

According to the sources, Apple will be hit with an EU antitrust charge over its NFC chip technology. A move that puts it at risk of a possible hefty fine and could force it to open its mobile payment system to rivals.

Sources: Apple to be hit with EU antitrust charge over NFC chip

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