Google’s $351 million app store deal clears UK tribunal, but cash won’t flow yet
The UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal gave conditional approval to Google's $351 million settlement with British app developers over Play Store fees, which reportedly ran as high as 30% on sales and in-app purchases. The deal sets aside 160 million pounds for developers and 100 million pounds for lawyers, insurers and litigation funders, with a guaranteed 200-pound minimum per eligible claimant.
Developer Dream Games objects that it would collect roughly 15% of its estimated claim while lawyers and backers could eventually collect everything their contracts promise. Google's lawyer noted the settlement carries no admission of liability or wrongdoing, standard phrasing for a company writing a nine-figure check.
The tribunal wants revised paperwork before issuing a formal order, and developers get three months to opt out. A further hearing will sort out unclaimed funds and additional payments to those 30-40 million pounds in contractual leftovers, meaning the money stays parked until someone decides who really earned it.
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