On Tuesday Google asked an Australian court to stay Epic Games’ claims that it is abusing its control over the Android operating system to harm competition for payments, reported Global Competition Review.
Earlier this year Epic Games announced that it has filed a legal claim against Google with the Federal Court of Australia, continuing its pursuit for fairer digital platforms globally. Epic has already filed a claim with the Court against Apple on similar grounds.
In the claim Epic alleges that Google’s anti-competitive conduct breaches the Australian Consumer Law as well as various sections of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The company states that Google abuses its control over the Android operating system (“Android OS”), restricting competition in payment processing and app distribution on the Google Play Store. This harmful conduct stifles innovation, reduces consumer choice and inflates prices.
This claim complements legal proceedings already underway in the US and UK, as well as an antitrust complaint against Apple in the European Union. Epic is not seeking damages from Google or Apple, it is simply seeking fair access and competition that will benefit consumers and developers.
In addition to Epic’s claims in Australia against Apple and Google, the company is also participating in the Australian competition regulator’s review of mobile app marketplaces.
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