• Mehr als 3 Millionen Wörter Inhalt
  • |
  • info@itmedialaw.com
  • |
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel
Warenkorb
Plugin Install : Cart Icon need WooCommerce plugin to be installed.
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel

ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel > Law and computer games > Epic Games’ victory in the antitrust dispute against Google Play Store: a turning point for the app economy?

Epic Games’ victory in the antitrust dispute against Google Play Store: a turning point for the app economy?

12. December 2023
in Law and computer games, Law on the Internet
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
0
epic games sieg im kartellrechtsstreit gegen google play store ein wendepunkt fuer die app oekonomie
Key Facts
  • Epic Games achieves historic victory against Google in antitrust lawsuit, deems Google Play Store an illegal monopoly.
  • Ruling could affect far-reaching changes in the app store ecosystem and the rights of developers.
  • Differences between US law and EU antitrust law could vary the impact of the ruling in Europe.
  • The jury found that Google had acted anti-competitively and held a monopoly in the app distribution sector.
  • Epic Games emphasizes that the ruling is a victory for all app developers and consumers and that stronger regulation is needed.
  • ruling could lead to other providers such as Steam having to adjust their pricing structures.
  • Long-term effects on the app economy require careful business analyses and possible adjustments to contracts.

Oh wow: Epic Games, the developer behind the world-famous game Fortnite, has scored a remarkable victory in an unprecedented antitrust lawsuit against Google. This ruling, which classifies the Google Play Store as an illegal monopoly, is not only a milestone in the history of the digital economy, but could also serve as a catalyst for far-reaching changes in the entire app store ecosystem. In an industry dominated by a few tech giants, this decision represents a challenge to the established power structure and raises important questions about the future of digital marketplaces, developers’ rights and consumer choice. In this article, I attempt to shed light on the implications of this ruling and discuss how it could reshape the landscape for app developers and users worldwide.

Content Hide
1. US law vs. EU antitrust law:
2. The significance of the judgment:
3. Conclusion;

US law vs. EU antitrust law:

This ruling, made in the context of the US legal system, emphasizes the differences to EU antitrust law. While the decision could have far-reaching consequences in the USA, the impact within the EU may be different, as EU antitrust law has different requirements. In particular, EU antitrust law places a stronger focus on the promotion of competition and the protection of smaller market participants, which can lead to different legal assessments. In addition, market structures and consumer behavior are different in Europe, which influences the applicability and consequences of such rulings. However, if the ruling is upheld in subsequent instances, this case law could still have a significant impact on the app economy in Europe. This could lead to a reassessment of the business practices of app stores and possibly trigger a wave of regulatory and legal adjustments in Europe. It remains to be seen whether and how European regulatory authorities and courts will react to this development and whether similar legal challenges will arise in the EU.

The significance of the judgment:

The jury found in favor of Epic Games on all points. This ruling represents a clear defeat for Google and could fundamentally change the way companies earn money on the Android operating system. It highlights how a single court case can influence the dynamics of an entire industry. The jury concluded that Google has a monopoly position in Android app distribution and in-app payment services and has abused this position to stifle competition and charge unreasonably high fees to app developers.

Epic Games successfully argued that Google had acted anti-competitively by tying its Play Store to the billing service and through special agreements with certain companies that prevented the establishment of competing app stores. This led to the decision that Google’s practices not only hindered competition, but also restricted innovation and ultimately harmed consumers.

In a statement, Epic Games emphasized that the ruling was a ‘victory for all app developers and consumers’ and underscored the need for legislation and regulation to address Apple and Google’s dominance over smartphones. Google, on the other hand, announced that it would appeal, emphasizing that Android and the Google Play Store offer more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform.

The ruling could have far-reaching consequences for the entire app economy by giving other developers more freedom and flexibility in the pricing and distribution of their apps. This could lead to greater diversity and innovation in the app market and redefine the balance of power between app developers and platform operators. In addition, this ruling could also prompt other providers such as Steam to adjust their pricing structures. It is possible that the way money is earned on app stores will change in the next few years, for example by paying for reach instead of billing or other indirect services. This development could herald a new era of monetization in digital markets, in which cost structures and revenue sources are reassessed and adjusted.

Conclusion;

The ruling in the Epic Games v. Google case marks a potential turning point in the app economy, the effects of which could extend far beyond those directly involved. While at first glance the decision appears to be a victory for app developers by promising more control and flexibility in the distribution and monetization of their products, a careful business assessment is needed to understand the actual consequences.

It is important to consider that large market players such as Epic Games may benefit from the opportunity to implement their own payment systems and break away from the fee structures of the app stores. However, this development could pose unexpected challenges for smaller developers who do not have a comparable reach. If platform operators such as Google and Apple have to develop alternative sources of income, they could, for example, introduce fees for reach, traffic or hosting. Such costs could be a greater burden for smaller developers who rely on visibility in app stores than the current fee structures.

Google’s announcement that it will lodge an appeal indicates that the legal dispute is not yet concluded and that the final verdict remains to be seen. This ruling and its long-term effects must therefore be carefully analyzed not only from a legal perspective, but also from a business perspective.

In this context, it is important for lawyers like me to keep a close eye on developments and provide our clients with comprehensive advice. In case of doubt, numerous publishing contracts will also have to be adapted at some point.

Tags: Case lawCompetitionConsumerDeveloperDevelopmentEuFortniteGoogleInnovationJudgmentJudgmentsLegal challengesLegislationMarket participantsRegulationReviewright

Weitere spannende Blogposts

Influencer: Federal Government wants to create new regulation

Legal form as an influencer? A few hints!
12. June 2019

Although the case law around influencers is currently subject to a clear trend, which can be clearly seen in various...

Read moreDetails

IT contract law: What start-ups should look out for when working with service providers

IT contract law: What start-ups should look out for when working with service providers
10. October 2024

For many start-ups, collaboration with external IT service providers is essential, be it for the development of software, the implementation...

Read moreDetails

Digital employment contracts: Soon to be a reality at last

Preparing for the Digital Service Act as a business
26. August 2024

The world of work is undergoing a digital transformation - but when it comes to employment contracts, of all things,...

Read moreDetails

Data leakage can be expensive, DSGVO breach in a different way

LG Munich: Data protection consent on dating platform
7. November 2022

Last year, British Airways suffered a data leak that allegedly affected more than 250,000 customers and involved highly sensitive data...

Read moreDetails

BayLDA: 100 FAQ on privacy and websites

District Court Frankfurt a.M. on the right to be forgotten
13. September 2019

The data protection authorities from Bavaria have published a collection of questions and answers on data protection on websites. Questions...

Read moreDetails

Warning adé? The changes in the UWG

Online retailer: Notice of warranty of defects
7. November 2022

Today, the new "Law on Strengthening Fair Competition" came into force, but in the opinion of many colleagues, it does...

Read moreDetails

E-commerce law: legally compliant design of online stores for the self-employed

E-commerce law: legally compliant design of online stores for the self-employed
10. October 2024

Creating an online store offers self-employed people enormous opportunities, but also harbors numerous legal pitfalls. A legally compliant design is...

Read moreDetails

Bundestag speech by Monika Lazar (B90/Grüne) on eSports on 8/9.11.18

Bundestag speech by Monika Lazar (B90/Grüne) on eSports on 8/9.11.18
7. November 2022

The speech of Monika Lazar (Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen), member of the Bundestag from Leipzig (Saxony), on the motion...

Read moreDetails

T&Cs, regulation & compliance in blockchain & computer games: What you need to know

T&Cs, regulation & compliance in blockchain & computer games: What you need to know
14. December 2022

Introduction: why T&Cs, regulation & compliance are important in the blockchain and computer gaming space. Entering new technologies and industries...

Read moreDetails
Third-party action

Third-party action

16. October 2024

Definition and legal basis: The third-party action, also known as an intervention action, is a legal remedy under German enforcement...

Read moreDetails
patentrecht 4

Patent law

26. June 2023
Declaratory action

Declaratory action

28. June 2023
e geld

E-money

27. June 2023
Cologne District Court considers online contract generator to be illegal

Leasing contract

10. November 2024

Podcast Folgen

Startups und Innovation in Deutschland – Herausforderungen und Chancen

Startups und Innovation in Deutschland – Herausforderungen und Chancen

25. September 2024

In dieser aufschlussreichen Podcast-Episode wird ein tiefgreifender Blick auf die Startup- und Innovationslandschaft in Deutschland und Europa geworfen. Die Diskussion...

Auf der dunklen Seite? Ein Rechtsanwalt im Spannungsfeld innovativer Startups

Auf der dunklen Seite? Ein Rechtsanwalt im Spannungsfeld innovativer Startups

25. September 2024

In dieser persönlichen und fesselnden Episode taucht der erfahrene IT- und Medienrechtsanwalt tief in die Grauzone seiner beruflichen Tätigkeit ein....

Digitale Souveränität: Europas Weg in eine selbstbestimmte digitale Zukunft

Digitale Souveränität: Europas Weg in eine selbstbestimmte digitale Zukunft

12. November 2024

In dieser spannenden Episode des itmedialaw.com Podcasts tauchen wir tief in das hochaktuelle Thema der digitalen Souveränität ein. Vor dem...

Leben als IT-Anwalt, Work-Life Balance, Familie und meine Karriere

Leben als IT-Anwalt, Work-Life Balance, Familie und meine Karriere

25. September 2024

In dieser fesselnden Episode meines IT-Medialaw Podcasts teile ich, Marian Härtel, meine persönliche Reise als leidenschaftlicher IT-Rechtsanwalt. Ich erzähle von...

  • Privacy policy
  • Imprint
  • Contact
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
Marian Härtel, Rathenaustr. 58a, 14612 Falkensee, info@itmedialaw.com

Marian Härtel - Rechtsanwalt für IT-Recht, Medienrecht und Startups, mit einem Fokus auf innovative Geschäftsmodelle, Games, KI und Finanzierungsberatung.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung