Google has filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking to challenge a federal court order that requires its Play Store to open up to more competition. On Sunday, Google asked U.S. District Judge James Donato to stay the order, which is set to take effect on November 1. The company argues that the ruling could harm its business and compromise the Android ecosystem’s safety, security, and privacy.
The injunction was issued after a federal jury found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing app downloads and in-app payments on Android devices in a case brought by Fortnite creator Epic Games.
Under the judge’s order, Google must allow users to download competing third-party Android app platforms or stores and may no longer prohibit using alternative in-app payment methods.
It also prohibits Google from paying device manufacturers to pre-install the Play Store and from sharing Play Store revenue with other app distributors.
If Judge Donato rejects Google’s request to stay the injunction, Google can seek relief from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, based in San Francisco. Google would ask the appeals court for an injunction to temporarily block the enforcement of the district court’s ruling while it proceeds with its appeal of the jury’s antitrust verdict.
The appeals court is expected to review and rule on Google’s challenge to Judge Donato’s order.
Google’s stock remained steady at $163.24.
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