Google had to change the application store policies for the Android ecosystem. However, with the decision of temporary stopping, the entry of these changes was 3 weeks.
Recently, the Federal Court decided in favor of Epic in the long -standing antitröst case between Epic Games and Google. With this decision, Google Play Some obligations for developers were asked to remove. This decision, which paved the way for developers to guide alternative payment methods, meant a direct change in the income model in the Play Store.
The court gave Google only 14 days to implement the decisions taken. At the end of this period, the company had to give up the necessity of requiring the Google Play billing system for in -app payments. In addition, developers would be granted permission to inform users about distributing their applications outside the Play Store and alternative payment ways.
Google has won 3 weeks to apply the freedoms it should offer to developers.
Google, arguing that this period was not enough, the 9th Court of Appeal applied. As a reasons for the application, it has shown that the rapid implementation of these changes, which concern millions of users and hundreds of thousands of developers, is risky for technical and safety. The court found this defense on the spot urgent stopping decision gave it.
In line with this decision, it is valid for some applications in the Play Store. Single Payment Infrastructure Obligationwill remain in force at least 3 weeks. It will not be possible for developers to be able to refer to non -Google payment systems within the application. However, Google’s special agreements with mobile device manufacturers and operators remain valid for now.
The permanent decision of the court includes 13 separate regulations. Some of them prohibit Google from paying to application developers or device manufacturers under certain conditions. For example, trade agreements will no longer be allowed for three years to take part in the Play Store or to be pre -installed. Likewise, another version of an application with different functions from the play store version will not be prevented from taking part in third -party stores.
Google, these arrangements may damage the Android ecosystem, arguing, stressed the possibility of spreading malicious software. According to the company’s statement, giving developers the opportunity to offer external connections may increase the likelihood of users to be directed to counterfeit and harmful applications. Possible weaknesses in payment security may also threaten the integrity of the system.
The establishment of a three -person committee for the technical details that need to be resolved between Google and Epic took part in the court decision. This committee will be involved in the resolution of the disputes that may be selected by the parties and that may be experienced in technical regulations. The proposals of the committee will be finalized by the court.
Epic Games had previously achieved a partial success against Apple in a similar case. The decision taken in the Apple case provided a gain to direct developers to external payment methods. In the process with Google, the scope of these rights was wider.
In the previous decision of the court, Google’s third -party stores were asked to include in the Play Store in line with Epic’s request. However, there is still a period of seven and a half months for the implementation of this provision. Because, Epic Games Store or Microsoft’s Android Game Store It does not seem possible before 2026 to be located directly in the play store.
Although Google has gained an advantage over time with its temporary stopping decision, the final decisions are not implemented. When the judicial process is completed, significant changes may be experienced in the control power of the company’s Android platform. This process can pave the way for a new era for developers and users that can affect the application store preferences.