Big changes are coming to Android. Or at least that’s what Judge James Donato wants to see, who has just issued the final ruling in the Epic vs. Google. The American magistrate has ordered an unprecedented opening of the Play Store almost a year after a jury concluded that the application store is a monopoly and that part of its operation is sustained thanks to anti-competitive behavior.
We are facing a series of adjustments that must be implemented by the company for three years in the United States. While this is a limited period of time, we can expect long-lasting effects on the Android ecosystem. Google will not only have to allow third-party stores within the Play Store, but these rival stores will be able to have access to the entire Play Store catalog, respecting those developers who decide not to participate.
Epic’s victory over Google drives historic changes to Android
Judge Donato’s brief includes many other substantial changes in response to the anti-competitive practices of the one led by Sundar Pichai. Let’s see.
- You will not be able to force developers to use their own billing system for apps distributed through the Play Store.
- You will not be able to prohibit the use of alternative payment methods within the Play Store.
- It should allow developers to offer users alternative payment methods.
- You will need to allow developers to set their own prices.
- You must allow developers to include links that allow their apps to be downloaded outside of the Play Store.
- You will not be permitted to share revenue generated from the Play Store with any person or entity that distributes Android applications.
- You will not be allowed to offer developers benefits so that they launch their applications first in the Play Store or that are exclusive to this store.
- It will not be allowed to offer benefits so that developers do not launch their applications in rival stores or that they have reduced features.
- You will not be allowed to offer device manufacturers or operators benefits to pre-install the Play Store.
- It will not be allowed to offer manufacturers or operators benefits so that they do not set up rival stores.
Unless Google finds some way to Buy more time or override this ruling, he is eight months old to implement the aforementioned changes. Certainly, the company will have to make many changes at a technical and legal level to comply with justice. In this sense, the process should be developed with the assistance of a three-person committee jointly elected between Epic and Google to resolve any disputes.
Google protest assures that it will appeal the judge’s decision
The Mountain View giant was quick to speak out against Judge Donato’s decision. The company has made it clear that it will begin an appeal process to block the implementation of the aforementioned measures because “they would put consumer privacy and security at risk, make it difficult for developers to promote their applications, and reduce competition on devices.”
Images | Mika Baumeister | Google | Bermix Studio
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