Nuked Epic games has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to stop Google from removing Bandcamp from the Android app store. Bandcamp is using its own billing system instead of paying Google an app store fee.
Bandcamp has used its own billing system on Android since 2015. Rules exempt digital music from having to use Google’s system.
Under Google’s new rules, Bandcamp would have to make changes beginning June 1st. The new rules would be forced to choose between passing on fees, passing on fee to artists, running its Android business at a loss, or turning off sales in the Android app.
Epic argues that the switch to Google’s billing system would affect its ability to continue giving artists 82 percent of their Bandcamp revenue. Google would have to pay Google 10 percent – yes, 10 percent, not 30 percent, since it seems Google offered Bandcamp some sort of sweetheart deal.
Epic claims Google does n’t pay developers until’15 to 45 days after a sale’. The current payment system allows artists to be paid within 24 to 48 hours of a sale.
Epic sued both Apple and Google in August 2020, alleging antitrust violations after both platforms kicked Fortnite off their stores. The Google case wo n’t go to trial until 2023.
Google’s in-app system is’fully integrated with PayPal’. Google announced these changes well over a year ago.
Epic’s internal emails show that it laid a trap in the Fortnite case.’it’s going to be fun!’.
