Epic Games has formally requested over $205 million in legal fees from Google following its victory in a landmark antitrust case concerning the Google Play Store. The request, submitted to the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, underscores the extensive resources Epic allocated over the five-year litigation period.
The legal battle commenced in 2020 when Epic accused Google of monopolizing app distribution and in-app payment systems on Android devices. In December 2023, a jury sided with Epic, determining that Google’s practices stifled competition. Subsequently, in October 2024, Judge James Donato mandated that Google implement significant reforms to its Play Store operations, including allowing alternative app stores and payment methods. Google’s appeal of this injunction was denied by the Ninth Circuit Court in July 2025, affirming the necessity for these changes. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/ceba472d6882c413967f512f2dc56067?utm_source=openai))
Epic’s legal team, led by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, justified the fee request by highlighting the complexity and success of the litigation. The base fee of $170 million was adjusted for inflation, resulting in the $205 million figure. Notably, Cravath and associated firms reportedly discounted their standard billing rates for Epic. For instance, Gary Bornstein, co-head of Cravath’s litigation department, logged nearly 3,850 hours on the case. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/epic-games-seeks-205-million-legal-fees-google-after-trial-win-2025-08-25/?utm_source=openai))
While Google has consistently denied any wrongdoing, the company has not yet commented on Epic’s fee request. The tech giant continues to challenge the court’s decisions, with indications that it may escalate the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/epic-games-seeks-205-million-legal-fees-google-after-trial-win-2025-08-25/?utm_source=openai))
This case is part of a broader global scrutiny of major tech companies’ control over app distribution and payment systems. In related developments, Google’s recent adjustments to its Play Store policies in the European Union were prompted by the Digital Markets Act, aiming to foster greater competition. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/google-tweaks-google-play-conditions-following-eu-pressure-2025-08-19/?utm_source=openai))
As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome of Epic’s fee request and Google’s compliance with mandated reforms will be closely monitored by industry stakeholders and legal experts alike.