In what
CNN Business calls a "landmark verdict," the jury in Epic's antitrust
lawsuit has ruled that Google's mobile phone app store is an illegal monopoly.
Google says it plans to appeal. The article has reactions from
analysts on the implications: "The app stores are cracking open, walls between
social media platforms are coming down as the old networks fail, the headlong
rush to AI is making all the search engines worse, and the open web is more
powerful than ever," tech entrepreneur Anil Dash wrote on Threads. "We are about to
see the biggest reshuffling of power on the internet in 20 years. Most users
have never seen this kind of change."
Tim
Sweeney xeets his pleasure at the news, sharing the court papers with the
ruling. In a response in
another
xeet he says "On to Cupertino," indicating his hopes to ultimately prevail
in Epic's similar case against Apple, again centered on platform holders' right to
collect commissions. Here's word on next steps:
With Monday’s verdict, a
separate process in the case is expected to begin in the new year regarding
possible remedies targeting Google’s app store, and could seek to change how
Google collects its fees from developers or make it easier for Android devices
to host third-party app stores.
For now, the outcome of the high-profile court battle stands in contrast to a
similar case Epic has pursued against Apple over its app store. After being
largely defeated on its most central allegations in the lower courts, Epic has
appealed its case against Apple to the US Supreme Court.