Supreme court denies Google’s delay request in Epic case, ordering Android to open up

The US Supreme Court has denied Google’s request to postpone a sweeping injunction in its antitrust battle with Epic Games, giving the company just two weeks to make major changes to the Android ecosystem.

The ruling cements Epic’s victory in a years-long dispute over Google Play’s dominance and effectively forces the company to “democratize” its platform.

Under the order, Google must:

• scrap the requirement that apps use Google Play’s billing system;
• allow developers to inform users of alternative payment methods and provide direct links outside the store;
• let developers set their own content prices;
• end revenue-sharing programs tied to Google Play exclusivity;
• work with Epic Games to build a more open ecosystem that supports third-party app stores.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney hailed the ruling, saying that starting October 22, developers in the US “will be legally entitled to steer Google Play users to out-of-app payments without fees, scare screens, and friction.” He argued this brings Android closer to Apple’s App Store, where similar conditions are already in place.

Google has acknowledged the setback but stressed it isn’t giving up. A spokesperson told The Verge:

Android provides more choice for users and developers than any mobile OS, and the changes ordered by the US District Court will jeopardize users’ ability to safely download apps. While we’re disappointed the order isn’t stayed, we will continue our appeal.

For Google, the ruling means nothing short of reworking the Google Play business model in the US. More significantly, the Supreme Court’s decision could set a precedent for similar antitrust challenges in other countries.