Epic Games presses charges against Google for not complying with CCI’s antitrust order

U.S. firm Epic Games is challenging Google in an Indian tribunal for failing to comply with some portions of an antitrust directive. It alleges that the tech giant is not hosting the gaming company's app store on Google's Play Store app.

Only last month, after losing a legal fight with the Competition Commission of India, Google said it will make changes to its Android business model including stopping its practice of forcing device makers to pre-install a bouquet of Google apps such as YouTube or Chrome.

However, in a Feb. 9 filing with an appeals tribunal in New Delhi Epic claimed that Google has not complied with a part of the CCI directive that asks Google to host third-party app stores on Play Store and allow apps to be downloaded freely without using Play Store, a practice called "sideloading", according to a copy of Epic's submissions reviewed by Reuters.

Epic is the maker of the popular video game "Fortnite" and operates its own app store, Epic Games Store that offers games and other apps for download. The company claims in the filing it is "exploring launching" the Games Store app on Google Play Store and has been "adversely affected" by Google not complying with the CCI order.

"We are seeking to join Indian developers in court to support the CCI's order that requires Google to allow competing third-party app stores," Bakari Middleton, Director of Global Public Policy at Epic Games said.

Epic that has 9.5 million users in India, is known for campaigns against Apple and Google for charging high app store commissions.

Google said in a statement it has submitted its "compliance plan to the CCI and continue to respectfully follow the legal process in India."

Google denied wrongdoing and sought to stall that directive, warning the ruling would limit the growth of the Android ecosystem. India's Supreme Court ordered Google to follow the CCI directives but allowed it to continue arguing its case before the New Delhi appeals tribunal where Epic filed its case.

Epic is seeking an order to force Google to comply with the CCI's ruling, and the case is likely to be heard in the coming days.