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Google Asks US Supreme Court to Halt Epic Games Play Store Ruling

By  |  September 25, 2025

Alphabet’s Google is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block major portions of a federal judge’s ruling that would require sweeping changes to its Play Store, as the company readies a broader appeal in its ongoing battle with “Fortnite” maker Epic Games.

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    According to Reuters, Google argued in a late Wednesday filing that the injunction issued by U.S. District Judge James Donato is “unprecedented” and, if enforced, would cause reputational harm, raise safety and security risks, and leave the company at a competitive disadvantage. The company has requested that the Supreme Court decide by October 17 whether to pause the order while it pursues a full appeal, which it intends to file by October 27.

    Epic first sued Google in 2020, accusing the tech giant of monopolizing access to apps on Android devices and forcing developers to use its billing system in violation of U.S. antitrust law. A San Francisco jury sided with Epic in 2023, leading to Judge Donato’s order requiring Google to permit rival app stores within its Play Store, make its app catalog accessible to competitors, and allow developers to insert external payment links in their apps.

    Read more: Google Loses Appeal to Pause App Store Overhaul Ordered in Epic Lawsuit

    Per Reuters, Google’s filing emphasized that the injunction would affect more than 100 million Android users in the United States and around half a million developers. Epic, however, dismissed Google’s arguments, saying in a statement that the company was relying on “flawed security claims” to justify its control of Android. Epic maintained that the injunction should be implemented to give consumers and developers more competition, choice, and lower prices.

    The legal fight has continued through multiple appeals. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the injunction in July, pointing to what it called extensive evidence of Google’s anticompetitive conduct. On September 12, the full appeals court declined Google’s request to revisit the ruling. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney praised that outcome in a social media post, saying developers and consumers would soon reap the benefits.

    Source: Reuters