TLDRs;
- A U.S. judge extended Google’s injunction compliance deadline to October 29 amid its Epic Games dispute.
- The injunction forces Google to let app developers use independent billing systems and external payment links.
- Google plans to seek Supreme Court intervention by October 27 to delay or modify enforcement.
- Implementation details, including global reach and developer rules remain unclear ahead of the new deadline.
A U.S. federal judge has granted Google a one-week extension to comply with a sweeping injunction in its ongoing legal battle with Epic Games.
The ruling, originally set to take effect on October 22, now shifts the compliance deadline to October 29, giving Google slightly more time to adjust its Play Store policies as ordered by the court.
Judge James Donato, who presides over the multi-district litigation involving Google’s app store practices, approved the new timeline on October 20. The extension was requested jointly by both Epic Games and Google, though neither side disclosed the reasons for the delay, sparking speculation about ongoing behind-the-scenes discussions.
The injunction, first issued earlier this year, mandates that Google overhaul restrictive Play Store policies that have long limited how app developers distribute and monetize their software. The court’s order would allow developers to set their own prices, implement alternative billing systems, and steer users toward direct payment options outside of Google’s platform.
Epic’s Landmark Win Over Google
The delay marks the latest development in Epic Games’ landmark antitrust victory over Google. After years of litigation, Epic successfully argued that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution and in-app payment processing, forcing developers to accept high fees or risk losing visibility on the Play Store.
In December 2023, a California jury sided with Epic, ruling that Google’s app store practices violated U.S. antitrust laws. The verdict, later upheld by Judge Donato, culminated in the permanent injunction now at the center of the current dispute.
While Epic has celebrated the case as a win for app developers worldwide, Google insists that its ecosystem provides security, choice, and value for both developers and consumers. The company maintains that it will comply with the ruling, but only after exhausting its appeal options.
Supreme Court Appeal on the Horizon
Google has confirmed plans to seek relief from the U.S. Supreme Court by October 27, just two days before the new compliance deadline. The company hopes the high court will delay or modify the injunction’s implementation while it pursues a broader appeal.
This legal strategy mirrors similar moves in tech antitrust cases where enforcement deadlines have been temporarily stayed pending appellate review. A Supreme Court filing would extend Google’s timeline significantly, allowing it to avoid immediate structural changes to its Play Store operations while the legal battle continues.
However, Epic Games and other developers are pressing for swift enforcement, arguing that any delay prolongs anti-competitive conditions that harm smaller app creators and consumers alike.
Unclear Implementation Details
Despite the judge’s extension, many aspects of the injunction remain unresolved. Epic and Google have yet to file the required joint implementation plan, originally due October 30, which outlines how the order will be executed in practice.
Key questions persist about the scope of enforcement, including whether the policy changes will apply only within the United States or globally. Additionally, developers are awaiting clarity on how Google will handle user disclosures, steering mechanisms, and in-app communication rules once the injunction takes effect.
Analysts suggest that these implementation uncertainties could prompt further negotiations or even additional court hearings before the new October 29 deadline. For now, both sides appear to be recalibrating their next moves in a legal fight that could redefine the economics of mobile app distribution.
The Bigger Picture
The outcome of this case could have sweeping implications beyond Google and Epic. Regulators in Europe, South Korea, and India have been closely watching the proceedings as they consider their own rules for app store competition.
If the injunction stands, it could set a precedent forcing major platform operators, including Apple, to open their ecosystems to third-party billing and distribution models.
For now, Google’s one-week reprieve offers temporary relief but no resolution. The company remains under pressure from developers, regulators, and investors as it prepares to fight what may become one of the defining antitrust cases in digital history.
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