In response to Epic Games' lawsuit accusing Google of violating its market monopoly, the jury earlier unanimously determined that Google's Google Play Store operating model involved monopoly, which may lead to changes in its future operating model.
Prior to this, Epic Games pointed out that Google's parent company AlphabetAgreements reached with at least 24 major developers, which includes a three-year agreement with Activision Blizzard at a cost of US$3.6 million, requiring it not to establish an online software market that would compete with the Google Play Store.
In addition to Activision Blizzard, the document also alleges that Alphabet also paid Riot Games, which is owned by Tencent, US$2020 million a year in 3000, also requiring it to avoid establishing its own online software market, thereby continuing to attract more players to download games through the Google Play Store.
The jury found that Google had a monopoly in distributing Android platform apps through the Google Play Store and in in-app purchases on Android apps. At the same time, requiring brand manufacturers to pre-load Google services on their Android mobile phone products also affected market competition.
However, although the jury found that Google affected market competition and created a market monopoly, the court has not yet made an actual ruling. It is expected that there will be a final decision in January 2024. It may require Google to open up other companies and developers to establish their own software market services, or provide other in-app payment options.
As for Google's response, Wilson White, vice president of government affairs and public policy, said that the company would appeal the jury's verdict, emphasizing that the Android platform remains open, while also creating a huge market ecosystem through the Google Play Store and maintaining a competitive balance with Apple. He did not believe that the platform involved market monopoly behavior.
