A significant legal battle over the control of mobile app marketplaces has been resolved. Epic Games, the developer behind the popular game Fortnite, and Google have announced a comprehensive settlement agreement, potentially concluding a five-year antitrust dispute centered on Google’s Play Store for Android devices.
The agreement, outlined in a joint court filing, follows a major legal victory for Epic Games earlier this year. A federal appeals court upheld a jury’s finding that Google’s Android app store operated as an illegal monopoly. That ruling empowered a federal judge to mandate changes aimed at fostering greater competition.
While the specific financial terms remain confidential pending court approval, the companies stated the settlement aligns with the judge’s prior order to dismantle barriers protecting the Play Store from competition. A key provision will require Google to allow rival, third-party app stores to be distributed through its platform, giving Android users direct access to alternative marketplaces.
The core of the original lawsuit, filed in 2020 alongside a similar case against Apple, challenged the high commissions—ranging from 15% to 30%—charged on in-app purchases processed through the stores’ exclusive payment systems. As part of the new settlement, Google has agreed to reduce those fees to a bracket of 9% to 20%, depending on the transaction type.
In a statement, the companies said the deal allows them to move past their disputes while working to make the Android ecosystem “a more vibrant and competitive platform for users and developers.” A federal judge is scheduled to review the proposed settlement for final approval.