Google just bought itself one more week before its app store empire faces Epic-sized changes. US District Judge James Donato agreed to push back the landmark antitrust injunction until October 29th, despite neither company explaining why they jointly requested the delay. The original October 22nd deadline would have forced Google to open its Play Store gates, ending mandatory billing requirements that generate billions in developer fees.
Google just got an unexpected lifeline in its battle against Epic's antitrust victory. US District Court Judge James Donato agreed Monday to push back enforcement of his permanent injunction until October 29th, giving the tech giant one final week before it must open up its Android app store ecosystem. The decision came at the joint request of both Google and Epic Games, though neither company has publicly explained why they wanted the delay. The brief court order, signed October 20th, simply states that the original October 22nd deadline "is vacated and extended to October 29th, 2025" following the parties' joint request. What makes this extension particularly puzzling is Epic CEO Tim Sweeney's previous enthusiasm for the October 22nd date. Just weeks ago, Sweeney celebrated it as the day "developers will be legally entitled to steer US Google Play users to out-of-app payments without fees, scare screens, and friction - same as Apple App Store users in the US!" according to statements reported by The Verge. The injunction stems from Epic's sweeping courtroom victories in its antitrust lawsuit against Google. A jury found that Google maintains an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution and in-app payments, leading Judge Donato to order sweeping changes to the Play Store's operations. These changes include allowing developers to use alternative payment systems, set their own prices, and distribute apps through competing stores without Google's interference. The delay adds another layer of uncertainty to what's already a high-stakes legal chess match. Google previously told The Verge it would comply with its legal obligations while pursuing appeals, but the company has also indicated it will file a Supreme Court petition by October 27th. If the Supreme Court grants a stay, it could freeze the entire injunction indefinitely while the case works its way through the highest court. The financial implications are staggering. Google's Play Store generates an estimated $10-15 billion annually through its 30% commission on app purchases and in-app transactions. The injunction would eliminate much of that revenue stream by allowing developers to bypass Google's payment systems entirely. Major app publishers like Spotify, Netflix, and Fortnite maker Epic itself stand to save hundreds of millions in fees annually. The timing also creates potential complications for Android developers who've been preparing for the transition. Many have spent weeks implementing alternative payment systems and updating their apps to comply with the new rules. The one-week extension forces another round of coordination and planning, though most developers will likely welcome any delay that provides more preparation time. Industry analysts suggest the joint request might indicate behind-the-scenes negotiations between the companies, possibly around implementation details or compliance mechanisms. Both and Epic have remained tight-lipped about their motivations, with public court filings offering no explanation for the extension request. The broader antitrust landscape continues shifting rapidly around Google. The Department of Justice is simultaneously pursuing its own monopoly case against Google's search business, while the European Union has already forced similar app store changes through the Digital Markets Act. These parallel pressures suggest Google's current app store model faces challenges from multiple directions, regardless of how the Epic case ultimately resolves.
