Google has officially taken its ongoing legal battle with Epic Games to the Supreme Court. The Epic v. Google lawsuit threatens to alter the balance of power within the Android app marketplace. In connection with this elevated legal challenge, Google is also requesting a temporary pause on a permanent injunction that could diminish its existing control over app developers.
On September 12, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the permanent injunction that requires Google to cease its practice of mandating app developers use Google Play Billing for payments. This ruling also allows developers to provide links to alternative payment methods and download locations, as well as enable them to set their own pricing structures.
The Supreme Court may have a different perspective. It could validate Google’s position that the lower courts exceeded their jurisdiction or consider the implications of Apple’s win in a related case, Epic v. Apple, among other arguments that can be reviewed in the court documents.
Google plans to file a full appeal for certiorari by October 27, 2025, and is asking the Supreme Court to make a decision regarding the injunction by October 17. Additionally, Judge James Donato, who originally issued the injunction, has requested that both Google and Epic explain their compliance strategies in court on October 30.
