 |
| Epic Games wins support in battle against Apple |
Epic Games may have largely lost the main lawsuit against Apple, but it won't lose without a fight, and it has a lot of support.
Shortly after Epic Games' decision against Apple, the Fortnite developer appealed and on January 27 filed a brief in favor of the company, which includes a coalition of 35 public defenders, Microsoft and the Electronic Frontier Fund (EFF).
During the lawsuit, Epic Games is trying to prove that Apple has a monopoly on iOS apps. He called for changes to be made to force Apple to charge lower commissions on all transactions made through the Store.
If Epic Games can convince Apple to accept alternative payment processors, it could dramatically change the way Apple, the world's most profitable company, operates its highly profitable app store.
The judge in the original case ruled in favor of Apple on nine of the 10 charges against Epic Games. But Epic Games and Apple have found the missing pieces.
In a public appeal memorandum filed last week. Fortnite developers say that allowing the decision to move forward would undo well-established antitrust principles and undermine sound antitrust policies.
More than half of US states and Microsoft are now siding with Epic Games because they believe Apple has a monopoly.
Supporters provide support information to the company that developed the game Fortnite. These summaries are provided by parties not parties to the case, along with additional information that may be relevant.
In its summary, the states said: "Apple's actions have harmed and harmed mobile app developers and millions of citizens." Meanwhile, Apple continues to monopolize the distribution of apps and integrated payment solutions for iPhones. It also continues to stifle competition, which is an uncompetitive gain in the multibillion-dollar smartphone industry every year. Apple must be held responsible for its actions.
Epic Games lose to Apple
Microsoft said Apple's sweeping decision may leave no room for restrictive principles to prevent Apple from using its control of iOS to prevent competition in countless neighboring markets.
"The stakes are high for Microsoft and other companies that rely on antitrust laws to protect merit-based competition," she added.
Note that Microsoft is the main ally of the company that is developing the game Fortnite during the testing period. Epic Games also invited Microsoft to testify.
"A comprehensive review of the court's findings shows that Apple has market power in distributing applications," the EFF said. It has also shown that its justification for restrictive App Store policies does not outweigh the anti-competitive effects of those policies.
"Therefore, this court must declare Apple's policy illegal under the Sherman Act," she added. This result gives the company the freedom to continue to innovate at the service of users, while allowing innovation to thrive outside its walls.