“Fortnite” video game maker Epic Games Inc. has reached a “comprehensive settlement” with Google LLC that ends a five-year-old legal battle and will lead to reforms to Android and the Google Play Store.
In 2020, Epic filed lawsuits against both Google and Apple Inc., claiming that the 15% to 30% commission fee to download apps was anticompetitive, which Epic’s lawyers called monopolistic. Epic was less than happy with the outcome in the case against Apple a year later, despite the tech giant being ordered to make some changes, but the company claimed victory over Google in 2023.
The court issued a permanent injunction forcing Google to let developers use third-party app stores and alternative payment systems, and to stop making exclusive deals that blocked competitors. Google appealed, but in 2025, the Ninth Circuit upheld the ruling, and the Supreme Court refused to pause enforcement. Today, the two firms agreed to the terms of a settlement.
Under the new proposal, Google will make it easier for users to download and install third-party app stores that meet updated security and safety standards. Developers will also be permitted to direct users to alternative payment options, both within apps and through external web links.
Google plans to introduce a capped service fee, either 9% or 20%, on transactions in Play-distributed apps that use alternative payment methods. These caps will apply to apps first installed or updated from Google Play after Oct. 30.
“Google has made an awesome proposal, subject to court approval, to open up Android in the U.S. Epic v Google case and settle our disputes,” Epic Chief Executive Tim Sweeney wrote on X. “It genuinely doubles down on Android’s original vision as an open platform to streamline competing store installs globally, reduce service fees for developers on Google Play, and enable third-party in-app and web payments.” He called the win a “comprehensive solution,” in reference to the partial win over Apple.
Android President Sameer Samat said the news was “exciting,” writing that Android users can look forward to more developer choice and flexibility, lower fees and more competition. Presiding Judge James Donato will still need to approve the settlement, with the changes set to take place sometime later this year.
Photo: Unsplash
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