What you might want to know
- Google and Epic are proposing a joint settlement that might resolve over 5 years of authorized battles.
- The 2 corporations’ submitted the joint submitting Tuesday, Nov. 4 within the U.S. District Courtroom for the Northern District of California.
- The settlement requires courtroom approval, however would deliver sweeping adjustments to how Google operates the Play Retailer and distributes apps on Android.
Google and Epic are collectively proposing a settlement that might resolve their authorized battles concerning Play Retailer guidelines and transaction charges, as reported by Reuters. The 2 corporations submitted the submitting to U.S. District Decide James Donato, who oversaw a jury trial that dominated in favor of Epic in 2023. It requires Donato’s courtroom approval earlier than taking impact.
If permitted, the proposal would forestall Google from getting into some exclusivity offers with builders, sharing income with opponents, or making agreements with OEMs and carriers concerning pre-installed app shops. The settlement additionally requires Google to regulate Android to make it simpler for customers to put in third-party “Registered App Shops.” This up to date course of would make the set up stream for these app shops less complicated, lowering person friction.
Google and Epic have agreed on “impartial standards” for the registration of third-party app shops, and inform the courtroom the Registered App Shops coverage would final till 2032. Donato’s authentic injunction required a unique answer for 3 years, however the two corporations say the long term is useful for shoppers.
Google will nonetheless be allowed to cost transaction charges on the Play Retailer, however the proposal would restrict charges to both 9% or 20%, relying on the transaction.
Donato already issued a everlasting injunction requiring Play Retailer adjustments following Epic’s victory on this lawsuit. This proposal from Epic and Google goals to switch the injunction, and the submitting states that the unique injunction consists of language that states “Google or Epic could request a modification of the injunction for good trigger.”
For the proposal to be finalized, the courtroom must approve it, and it must conform to not situation the preliminary approval of the Utah v. Google LLC settlement.
What Google and Epic are saying in regards to the proposed settlement
Executives from Google and Epic took to X (previously Twitter) to touch upon the joint proposal, with management on either side displaying enthusiasm in regards to the settlement.
“Along with Epic Video games we’ve filed a proposed set of adjustments to Android and Google Play that concentrate on increasing developer selection and suppleness, decreasing charges, and inspiring extra competitors all whereas protecting customers secure,” wrote Sameer Samat, who’s Google’s president of the Android ecosystem. “If permitted, this may resolve our litigations.”
Thrilling information! Along with Epic Video games we’ve filed a proposed set of adjustments to Android and Google Play that concentrate on increasing developer selection and suppleness, decreasing charges, and inspiring extra competitors all whereas protecting customers secure. If permitted, this may resolve our…November 5, 2025
Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the proposed settlement “genuinely doubles down on Android’s authentic imaginative and prescient as an open platform.” He additionally known as out Apple, which Epic has additionally engaged in litigation with over app distribution guidelines.
This can be a complete answer, which stands in distinction to Apple’s mannequin of blocking all competing shops and leaving funds as the one vector for competitors.
Tim Sweeney
The following step for Epic and Google shall be to debate the proposed settlement with Decide Donato within the U.S. District Courtroom for the Northern District of California. You’ll be able to learn the total submitting right here (through Reuters).
