Tomohiro Ohsumi
Updates from Epic Games’ 2020 lawsuit against Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) on its Android and Play Store policies is accusing Google of agreeing to pay $360M to Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) to prevent the development of a competing store.
A court filing on Thursday issued the new, unredacted document, Reuters reports, revealing that Epic (the maker of hit games. (Fortnite) accused Google of doing this with at least 24 major app developers to prevent them from creating an alternative to the Play Store.
Epic Games is owned by founder Tim Sweeney, although Tencent (OTCPK:TCEHY) has a 40% share, and Sony (SONY) has about 4.9%.
Sweeney battled Google and Apple ( AAPL ) in 2020 over disputes over whether apps that offer in-app payment options can still be found in their app stores. And Epic runs a game store on their desktop, similar to Steam as a game distribution center.
Activision Blizzard is currently looking to acquire Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT).
“But for restrictions imposed by Apple, Epic will provide a competitive store for iOS devices, which will allow iOS users to download apps in a well-designed, well-maintained store and give users the opportunity to use Epic’s or a third party’s paid software. The update tool,” he said. Epic sued Apple in the summer of 2020.
“We must all choose to fight a bitter battle now, or accept an all-powerful man with a desire to tax and limit innovation in the coming years,” Sweeney said when Epic sued Google.
