Epic Games, the developer behind the popular Fortnite video game, is not backing down in its fight against tech giant Google. In a bold move, Epic has sought a court order to compel Google to open its Play Store to more competition.
According to a report by Reuters, Epic has proposed several reforms to the court, including allowing the distribution of competing third-party app stores on the Play Store for six years. The company also wants to limit Google’s ability to make agreements with device makers that restrict the preloading of competing app stores.
Additionally, Epic is pushing for Google to be barred from restricting how apps can inform users about out-of-app purchasing options. These proposed changes are aimed at breaking Google’s dominance in the Android app market.
While Google has denied any wrongdoing, the judge overseeing the case is not obligated to grant Epic’s requests. The road ahead promises to be a tough one, with Google having until May 3 to respond to Epic’s proposal.
This legal battle stems from a jury ruling in December that found Google guilty of unlawfully restricting developers from distributing apps outside the Play Store and imposing strict controls on in-app purchase transactions. Google has since agreed to pay $700 million to settle state and consumer allegations over its Play Store restrictions.
Epic’s move against Google mirrors a similar case it lodged against Apple in 2020, alleging that the tech giant maintains a tight grip on its App Store. The fight against Apple is ongoing, with Epic challenging the company’s practices in court.