Google: game developers want the company to support competitors

Google has asked the US District Court for the Northern District of California to dismiss an antitrust suit bought by Fortnite developer Epic Games and other app developers, arguing that the plaintiffs are trying to use antitrust laws to force Google to support competitors.

Epic Games, Pure Sweat Basketball Inc. and Peekya App Services Inc. want Google to be required to host on Google Play Store apps that don't use Google's payment system .

The developers' suit alleges that Google because of its monopolization of app distribution via iPhones and Android is unfairly charging a 30% commission on app purchases and in-app transactions - a rate they claim is far higher than that of other payment systems - and that Google's domination blocks developers from reaching consumers through other distribution channels.

Google said in its filing that if the plaintiffs were to prevail, developers would

"...enjoy the benefits of Google Play while preventing Google from charging anything for the admittedly valuable distribution services Google Play provides"

also that

"...[plaintiffs'] allegations only reinforce that Android is a competition success story..."

and that Google has

"...no duty to deal with its competitors, and no duty to agree to terms that Plaintiffs desire."

Google has a bullseye on its back this year, for sure!