Washington: Google has approached the U.S. Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention to halt a lower court order that could force sweeping changes to its Android app marketplace. The tech giant argues that the injunction stemming from its legal battle with Epic Games threatens to disrupt its Play Store operations and damage its business reputation.
The dispute between Google and Epic Games has been ongoing for years, rooted in allegations that Google’s app store policies stifle competition. Epic, the creator of the popular game Fortnite, claims that Google unfairly compels developers to use its billing system while restricting access to alternative payment methods and app distribution channels. A lower court recently sided with Epic, issuing an injunction requiring Google to open its ecosystem to rival app stores and third-party billing systems.
In its appeal, Google describes the injunction as “unprecedented” and warns that implementing it immediately would cause irreparable harm. The company insists that enforcing such measures before the appeals process is complete could undermine its ability to maintain app security, enforce quality standards, and generate revenue through its store. Google further claims the ruling could put it at a competitive disadvantage compared to rivals in the tech sector.
Epic Games, on the other hand, has positioned itself as a champion of fair competition. The company accuses Google of running a monopolistic ecosystem that locks developers into unfavorable terms while limiting consumer choice. The lower court’s order was seen as a major victory for Epic and other developers pushing for a more open app marketplace. If upheld, the ruling could reshape the app economy by weakening the dominance of major platforms like Google’s Play Store.
The Supreme Court’s decision on whether to grant Google’s request for a stay will be closely watched across the tech industry. A ruling in Google’s favor could delay major changes to its app store until the appeals process concludes. If the stay is denied, Google would be forced to comply with the injunction and begin restructuring its app ecosystem immediately, even as the broader case continues.
The outcome has the potential to redefine not only Google’s business practices but also the future of digital marketplaces worldwide. The court’s response in the coming weeks could determine whether one of the biggest antitrust battles in tech history accelerates into immediate change or stalls while legal arguments play out.