Small app developers are to be funded by Google with a total of $90 million for allegations of the tech giant misusing its market position, according to the Friday statement by AFP.
The payment will sum to $200,000 to some bigger developers, the fund is set to reach about 48,000 in a class of action lawsuit, following Hagens Berman’s explanation of the plaintiffs’ attorney.
The case centered on charges that Google violated antitrust laws with its Google Play app store, alleging the technology giant maintained a monopoly in the US market on its Android smartphone system that penalized developers.
The legal suit settlement will cover developers with annual Google play earnings of 2 million or less between 2016 and 2021.
Also, the tech master agreed to allow developers to pay a service fee of 15% on the first $1 million in the annual revenues, down from the prior 30$.
Other measures will highlight apps from independent developers and make it easier to use these alternatives within the Android network.
Google has accused Android app developers of using methods to divert most payments through its Google Play store billing system with a default service fee of 30%. However, the company has agreed to harmonize the situation through a legal settlement.
The technology giant announced that they have come to terms with an Android developer to end the legal battle, in Google’s statement posted.
“Today, we’re pleased to share a proposed agreement that will help ensure that both developers and consumers can continue to benefit from Google Play.” Said Google
The tech company says it chose to take this route in order to avoid “years of uncertain and distracting litigation.”
Google also stated it is looking to showcase smaller independent startups by creating an “Indie Apps Corner”. This new feature will aim to highlight unique high-quality apps on the Play Store, and looks to shine a spotlight on these developers, according to a blog posting.
Wilson White, a Google Vice President for Government Affairs, said he is pleased with the agreement.
He also said, “We remain confident in our arguments and case, but this settlement will avoid protected and unnecessary litigation with developers, whom we as partners in the Android ecosystem.”
Hagens Berman has scored in reproving tech giants, recently in 2020 secured a $100 settlement from Apple in almost the same case, and hailed the agreement as an example of holding the tech to account.
