9th Circuit Court Upholds Antitrust Ruling Against Google in Epic Games Case

On July 31, 2025, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous ruling requiring Google to implement significant reforms to its Play Store operations, siding with Epic Games in a landmark antitrust case.

The appellate court unanimously rejected Google's arguments that the trial court had erred in legal procedures favoring Epic Games, which filed the lawsuit in 2020. Epic, the creator of "Fortnite," accused Google of monopolizing app distribution and in-app payment processes on Android devices. A 2023 jury sided with Epic, leading U.S. District Judge James Donato to mandate changes, including requiring Google to allow third-party app stores within its Play Store and to share its app catalog.

Google has expressed concerns that these changes could compromise user safety and innovation. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google's vice president of regulatory affairs, stated, "We believe these changes could compromise user safety and innovation, and we intend to continue appealing the decision." The company plans to appeal the ruling to the full 9th Circuit and potentially to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Epic Games' CEO, Tim Sweeney, welcomed the ruling, indicating plans to bring the Epic Games Store to the Google Play Store. Sweeney stated, "This decision paves the way for the Epic Games Store to join the Play Store."

The case has garnered support from entities like Microsoft, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission, highlighting broader concerns about anti-competitive behavior in mobile app markets. Microsoft filed a brief backing Epic, as did the U.S. Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission.

This ruling mandates that Google allow third-party app stores within its Play Store and share its app catalog with competitors, aiming to increase competition in the app distribution market. The decision could impact Google's revenue from the Play Store, as developers may opt for alternative app stores with potentially lower commission fees.

This case is part of a broader trend of legal challenges against major tech companies regarding their app store practices. Epic Games has also pursued similar legal action against Apple, alleging anti-competitive behavior in its App Store.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to uphold the ruling against Google's Play Store practices marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse on competition and fairness in the digital marketplace. As Google plans to appeal, the tech industry and consumers alike will be closely watching the developments that follow.