Google vows to appeals ruling requiring It to allow rival Android app stores

Investing.com -- Google on Monday vowed to appeal a U.S. judge's ruling that forces the tech giant to offer alternatives to its Google Play store for downloading apps on Android phones, arguing that the decision is based on flawed reasoning and could undermine Android's ability to compete with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL )'s iOS.

"We are appealing that underlying decision and we will ask the courts to pause Epic's requested changes, pending that appeal," Google said in a statement on Monday.

The company's response comes after Judge James Donato in California delivered his final ruling Monday on the 2020 antitrust lawsuit brought by Epic Games, issuing a permanent injunction that bans Google from:

- Offering financial incentives for exclusive or priority app launches on Google Play

- Paying companies to deter the development of rival app stores

- Compensating device manufacturers for pre-loading Google Play

- Demanding the use of its Google's billing system or preventing developers from advertising lower-cost alternatives

Google contends that the ruling rests on a "flawed finding that Android is a market in itself," arguing that Android and iOS compete directly for both consumers and app developers.

Google also pointed out that developers have always had various options for distributing their apps, including offering them directly from their websites.

"Android has helped expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps. The initial decision and today's Epic-requested changes put that at risk and undercut Android's ability to compete with Apple's iOS," Google stated.

Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ:GOOGL ) closed more than 2% lower. 

Source: Investing.com