Epic Games and Apple have filed a proceeding over App Store fees, and Apple won a certain victory in September this year. However, Epic, which received few claims, and Apple, which is dissatisfied with the order to change the App Store payment method, have appealed, and at the time of writing the article, the second round is ahead.
Meanwhile, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney once again criticized Apple in an interview at the Global Conference for Mobile Application Ecosystem Fairness in South Korea, saying that a "single app store for all platforms" is needed. Insist.
The battle between Apple and Epic last year implemented a unique payment method within Epic's popular game Fortnite, which was removed from the App Store as a violation of the in-app purchase guidelines, and Epic's developer account. It started when it was erased.
It's also clear in the proceedings that Epic was asking Apple for permission to launch a third-party app store for the iPhone. In addition, Epic has decided to collaborate with other companies such as Spotify outside the courtroom to form an app fair coalition that calls on Apple and Google to improve the app store.
By the way, Mr. Sweeney's remark this time is a step forward from demanding something from other companies' app stores so far. "Now, what the world really needs is a single store for all platforms. Currently, software ownership is on the iOS App Store, Android Google Play Marketplace, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. , Is divided between the Microsoft Store and the Mac App Store. "
In addition, Epic is working with developers and service providers to build a system where users can "buy software in one place and use it on all devices and platforms," Sweeney said. That is. By the way, he doesn't mention it, but Epic Games also runs the Epic Games Store for PC gamers, which also collects fees.
"There are store markets, payment markets, and many other related markets. Antitrust enforcement means that a monopoly in one market can use its market power to control irrelevant markets," Sweeney said. It is important not to allow them to be forced. " In other words, it seems that Apple, which operates the app store, requires that it use its own payment method.
Indeed, in September of this year, South Korea just passed a bill banning app distribution platforms (Apple and Google) from using their in-app payment systems. This requires Apple to allow in-app payments from other companies in South Korea, but it is reported that it has not made sufficient efforts to do so.
Sweeney praised the bill, accusing Apple of following "repressive foreign laws" while "ignoring the laws passed by South Korean democracy." He adds, "Apple must stop."
The statement does not specify where the "repressive foreign country" is, but Apple has ordered the Chinese government to compromise iCloud security and remove the Russian opposition leader app. There was also a report that he obeyed.
But if Apple listens to Mr. Sweeney's criticism, nothing really benefits. The dispute between the two companies is likely to continue in court.
Source: Bloomberg
via: MacRumors