Epic Asks U.S. Court to Require Google to Open Up Android’s Play Store

In the wake of its antitrust victory over Google, Epic Games has proposed how the judge in that case could punish the online giant. Somewhat humorously, the request comes in the form of an “injunction proposal” that reads like fan fiction. That is, it’s what an ideal judicial order would look like if U.S. District Judge James Donato asked Epic to write it.

“The goal of this injunction is to open up to competition the two markets found by the jury: the market for the distribution of Android apps and the market for Android in-app billing services for digital goods and services transactions, to the benefit of developers of Android apps, developers of payment solutions for use in Android apps, and users of Android mobile devices,” Epic’s injunction proposal reads.

Regarding third-party stores and apps, Epic proposes that Google be prevented from engaging in any behaviors that prevent or restrict the distribution of Android apps from outside its Play Store, or in any way threaten or harm any partner that distributes a third-party app store on its devices. It also seeks to force Google to open up its Play Store app catalog to third parties for six years, and to distribute third-party app stores from the Play Store.

For in-app payments, Google should likewise be prevented from engaging in behaviors that prevent or restrict developers from using the payment methods of their choice, regardless of how the apps are distributed. Google also cannot impose “coercive” fees on transactions made between developers and their customers, similar to what Apple is now attempting in the EU with its Digital Markets Act (DMA) non-compliance.

Epic would also like to see Google establish an independent compliance committee with at least three board members, who will ensure that the company complies with antitrust laws and the court’s order. Unless I missed it, this one seems open-ended, with no proposed time frame.

Google has until May 3 to respond to the proposal. I assume it will do via a haiku.

“Epic’s filing to the US Federal Court shows again that it simply wants the benefits of Google Play without having to pay for it,” a Google statement notes in response. “We’ll continue to challenge the verdict, as Android is an open mobile platform that faces fierce competition from the Apple App Store, as well as app stores on Android devices, PCs, and gaming consoles.”