Alphabet's Google has lost its appeal in a U.S. antitrust lawsuit filed by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, which challenges Google's Play Store policies. A federal appeals court upheld a 2023 jury verdict and court order that found Google's Play Store to be an illegal monopoly. As a result, Google is required to overhaul its app store by allowing rival app marketplaces and alternative billing systems on Android devices. This ruling mandates Google to open the Play Store to third-party app stores, including one operated by Epic Games, potentially changing the app distribution and payment landscape on Android. Google has indicated plans to continue appealing the decision, including seeking a stay on the order mandating the reforms. The court has granted Google a three-week period to implement the required changes, although a delay on the overhaul has been temporarily agreed upon while appeals continue. The ruling is seen as a major development in the ongoing legal battle between Google and Epic Games over app store competition and monopoly concerns.