SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Epic Games has claimed another major legal victory over Google. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2023 jury verdict that found Google’s app store and billing system to be illegal monopolies. This ruling could reshape the Android ecosystem and how users access apps.

A panel of three judges confirmed the earlier decision in Epic v. Google. The court ruled that Google’s control over app distribution and in-app payments on Android devices violates U.S. antitrust laws. The verdict enables a previously delayed injunction to take effect.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called it a “total victory” in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The decision forces Google to begin making significant changes to its business practices within 14 days, unless it wins an emergency stay. The permanent injunction will require Google to open the Google Play Store to competing app stores. This includes allowing the Epic Games Store to appear on Android, even within the Play Store itself. 

The court also banned Google from forcing app developers to use Google Play Billing. That requirement has been a major point of contention, as it allows Google to take a cut from in-app purchases. If the injunction remains in place, Google will have to comply for at least three years. That means rival app stores and alternative billing systems could soon become the norm for Android users.

Judge M. Margaret McKeown opened her opinion by referencing Epic’s hit game Fortnite. She contrasted its high-stakes battles with the slower, rule-based legal process of antitrust law. Despite Fortnite’s action-packed world, McKeown wrote, this case turned on “longstanding principles of trial procedure, antitrust, and injunctive remedies.”

She also drew comparisons between Google and Apple, noting that the companies operate differently. Apple maintains a “walled garden,” while Android claims to be an open platform. But McKeown said that openness does not excuse anticompetitive behavior.

Google said it plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a statement, the company argued that the ruling could “significantly harm user safety, limit choice, and undermine innovation.” Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s global head of regulatory affairs, said the company’s priority is maintaining a secure platform while it continues to fight the ruling.

Despite its appeal, Google has only 14 days to comply with parts of the injunction. Judge James Donato had earlier given Google eight months to create a system that ensures user safety while opening the platform. That deadline still gives the company several months to adapt, meaning third-party app stores likely won’t appear in the Play Store until sometime in 2026.

Epic first sued Google and Apple in 2020 after Fortnite was removed from both app stores. Epic had introduced a hidden payment system in the game that bypassed Apple and Google’s billing systems, violating store policies. Epic admitted to the move, calling it a deliberate effort to challenge what it sees as monopolistic practices.

While Epic lost most of its case against Apple, it scored a much bigger win against Google. During the trial, jurors reviewed internal emails and secret deals that showed Google’s efforts to stop competition from emerging app stores. These included revenue-sharing deals with phone makers and game developers.

The appeals court rejected the argument that Apple’s win should influence Google’s case. Judge McKeown explained that Apple and Google operate in separate markets. She likened the difference to McDonald’s competing with Chick-fil-A in fast food, but not in hamburgers specifically.

The jury found Google held monopolies in two distinct markets: Android app distribution and Android in-app billing. These findings were at the heart of the unanimous verdict against the tech giant. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, this ruling marks a turning point for Android. Developers could soon enjoy more freedom in how they distribute apps and handle payments. Users may also benefit from increased competition and lower fees.

Epic Games, meanwhile, is preparing to launch its app store on Android. Sweeney confirmed the Epic Games Store will debut inside Google Play as a direct result of the court’s decision. The case shows how one company’s bold legal strategy could reshape the future of mobile software—and how Google may have to play by new rules.