The Competition Appeal Tribunal has approved the £260 million settlement secured by Professor Barry Rodger in his opt-out collective action against Google, brought on behalf of thousands of UK app developers.
A £160m fund will go directly to compensating eligible developers, including sole traders and SMEs.
This is the largest settlement pay-out for class members the Tribunal has ever approved, following its finding that the agreement is just and reasonable, and in the interests of the class.
The amount each affected developer receives will depend on their qualifying sales on the Play Store during the relevant period.
UK app developers are encouraged to register on the claim’s website www.googleplaystoredeveloperclaim.com to be notified as soon as the claims process opens. There is no cost involved to receive compensation.
The settlement resolves a legal action brought by leading competition law academic Professor Barry Rodger under the UK’s collective action regime. It alleged that Google abused its dominant position to the detriment of UK businesses that sold apps on the Play Store to Android customers. The claim sought compensation for the losses those businesses suffered from August 2018 onwards.
The UK’s collective action regime was introduced in 2015 to provide a route for consumers and businesses who could not realistically litigate alone to seek redress.
Professor Rodger commented: “This is a historic outcome for thousands of UK app developers and for the UK’s collective action regime.
“I’ve dedicated my career to studying how the largest companies affect those that depend on them, so ensuring compensation for affected businesses through a successful settlement to this claim means a great deal to me.
“This pay-out will benefit developers of every size – from individuals and startups to established companies – who sold apps or digital content through the Google Play Store.
“With the Tribunal’s approval, we are a step closer to getting money back to affected businesses. I encourage all eligible developers to register on the claim website, so they can claim when the compensation process begins.”
Damien Geradin, founding partner of Geradin Partners, said: “The CAT’s approval judgment handed down today confirms that the settlement Prof Rodger secured is in the interests of thousands of UK businesses. It is the largest sum the Tribunal has ever approved for distribution to a class.
“Delivering a pay-out of this scale for class members, and seeing it endorsed by the Tribunal, is a first since the UK collective proceedings regime was introduced in 2015, and Geradin Partners is proud to have acted for Prof Rodger in reaching this historic achievement.”