Judge doesn't buy Google's “terrifying world of chaos” argument in Epic case

In the ongoing Epic v. Google lawsuit, a judge dismissed Google's argument that proposed remedies would create a "terrifying world of chaos." Despite Google's appeal of a verdict deeming the Play Store an illegal monopoly, Judge James Donato indicated that Google must enact changes, although possibly fewer than Epic desires. The judge emphasized the need for a level playing field rather than special treatment for Epic, rejecting Google's claims that the changes would harm consumer experience. Final arguments are expected in August, with prompt rulings to follow.

In the Epic v. Google lawsuit, the jury declared the Play Store an illegal monopoly. While specific changes have not been finalized yet, Epic has proposed several remedies in a 16-page document. Some of these suggested remedies include:

1. Banning Google from blocking alternative app stores and billing systems.
2. Preventing Google from sharing Google Play revenues with carriers or phone makers4.
3. Prohibiting agreements with terms that might disincentivize other companies from carrying competing app stores.
4. Ending Android app exclusivity deals or most-favored-nation clauses that require devs to offer the same prices, release dates, and content on Google Play as other platforms.
5. Making downloading apps from third-party stores as easy as downloading from Google Play with no additional steps, warnings, or friction.
6. Providing equal access to Android APIs for all developers, without tying them to the Google Play Store.
7. Allowing third-party app stores access to Google Play's catalog of apps for six years and letting users make those third-party app stores perform their app updates.
8. Allowing third-party app stores into Google Play for six years, with no fees.
9. Removing anti-steering restrictions or incentives, allowing app developers to tell users how to pay elsewhere, for less, without paying Google more than Google itself pays to handle an app transaction.
10. Removing forcing developers to use Google Play Billing, or “User Choice Billing,” instead offering free rein to use alternative payment solutions.

Google has appealed the verdict and argued that the suggested remedies are unnecessary due to Play Store changes it's already introduced to settle a separate $700 million monopoly suit in December. Google and Epic are expected to make their final arguments in August, with Judge James Donato anticipating to "promptly" issue penalties soon after.