Google Play Store antitrust injunction temporarily delays Epic Games lawsuit impact continues

According to the financial news app Zhitong Finance, a federal judge in California has temporarily suspended the order requiring Google (GOOGL.US) to revamp its Android app store Google Play by November 1st, which was originally intended to provide consumers with more software download options. U.S. District Judge James Donato made this decision after Epic Games, the developer of "Fortnite," filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google. Google argued that Donato's October 7th injunction would harm the company's interests and pose serious security, protection, and privacy risks to the Android ecosystem.

Donato postponed the injunction to allow the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to consider Google's request to stay the judge's order. However, Donato rejected Google's separate request to suspend the execution of the order during a broader appeal period. Google welcomed this decision and stated in a press release that they are pleased to see the district court's decision to suspend the implementation of the dangerous remedies requested by Epic, as the appeals court is considering Google's request.

Epic, on the other hand, stated that Donato's ruling is just a procedural step and pointed out that the court has clearly stated that Google's appeal is baseless, while also rejecting its request to delay opening Android devices to competitors during the appeal. Epic also accused Google of using intimidation and unsubstantiated security threats to protect its control over Android devices and continue charging high fees.

In the Epic Games lawsuit, a jury ruled last year that Google illegally monopolized the way consumers download applications on Android devices and how they pay for in-app transactions. The judge incorporated many measures suggested by the jury's ruling into his order, including requiring Google to allow users to download competing third-party Android app platforms or stores on Play and to use competitive in-app payment methods. The order also prohibits Google from paying device manufacturers to pre-install its app store and from sharing revenue generated by the Play Store with other app distributors.

Google has appealed the jury's antitrust ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals but has not yet presented antitrust arguments to the appeals court. The company has previously stated that it should not be considered a monopolist because Google Play and Apple's App Store are direct competitors, and Donato's injunction would illegally force Google to do business with its competitors