Google has filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court to overturn a previous antitrust ruling in favor of Epic Games.
The lower court decision mandated that Google allow third-party app stores and payment systems, including crypto-supporting options, on its Play Store.
In its 110-page filing submitted on November 27, Google argued that the decision would hinder its ability to compete with Apple in the smartphone market.
The tech giant highlighted that Apple was not required to support rival app stores in a similar case brought by Epic, where the court ruled that Apple did not violate antitrust laws.
Google also claimed the presiding judge, James Donato, should have made a direct ruling rather than involving a jury trial, as was done in Epic’s case against Apple.
It further stated that the ruling creates an uneven playing field by forcing Google to accommodate rival app stores, a requirement not imposed on Apple.
The legal battle began in 2020 when Epic Games sued both Apple and Google, alleging that their policies unfairly restricted app developers to their proprietary payment systems, which take a 30% commission.
Epic introduced its own payment system in Fortnite, prompting its removal from both app stores and sparking the lawsuits.
Last month, Judge Donato ordered Google to lift its restrictions on external payment systems and allow developers to offer apps outside the Play Store.
However, the ruling and enforcement of the order are on hold pending the appeal.
Oral arguments for the case are scheduled for February 3, 2025, in San Francisco.
If upheld, the lower court’s decision could significantly impact app store operations and open the door for crypto-enabled payment systems within Google’s ecosystem.
Epic Games has yet to comment on the appeal.