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Original story: Epic has broadened its ongoing legal battle against Apple and Google by filing new complaints in the UK.
The US company has filed a complaint with the Competition Appeals Tribunal against each of the holders of the mobile platform, alleging that the two have “abused [their] dominant position “in the market and” engaged in anti-competitive agreements / concerted practices “in UK and EU.
The two deposits against Apple and Google are the latest step in Epic Games’ campaign to restore Fortnite to app stores and change how mobile ecosystems work.
The documents were filed on December 8 and 29, respectively, but were not made public until this week by the Tribunal.
In August, Epic Games added direct payment options to Fortnite on mobile, avoiding the 30% commission demanded by Apple and Google as part of their developer agreements.
The two companies later pulled Fortnite from their markets, to which Epic responded with anti-trust lawsuits.
Now the company is asking the Competition Appeal Tribunal to rule that removing Fortnite from these stores was illegal, as are certain terms of their development contracts.
Epic Games also wants Fortnite restored to both stores and allowed to offer users the option of direct payments.
Deposits are largely similar, but there are some variations in Epic’s claims based on how the two markets work.
In Apple’s case, Epic wants an order preventing the company from restricting downloading from the Epic Games Store to any Apple device in the UK, and an order forcing Apple to lift the requirement that all software must be downloaded and all payments processed through the App Store.
Meanwhile, Epic is asking the Court to order Google to stop enforcing pre-installation of Google Play on all Android devices in the UK and to demand that phone makers prioritize this store by compared to others.
He also wants Google to stop blocking manufacturers from making deals with Epic over pre-installing the Epic Games Store.
Neither the filing seeks damages or financial relief, although it seeks “such other relief or relief as the Tribunal may deem appropriate”.
In November, a judge dismissed Apple’s claims that Epic was guilty of theft in this dispute, saying instead the battle should focus on breach of contract and anti-trust allegations.
Later in the month, Apple reduced the commission-free commission on in-app sales and purchases to 15% for developers earning less than $ 1 million per year.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney responded that his company “is not fighting for a lower commission” but for “fair competition between mobile platform companies, stores and payment processors.”
The lawsuit between Epic and Apple is expected to take place in May. Epic suggested a lawsuit against Google in February, which the internet giant tried to push back in October – which the judge dismissed.
The Epic vs Apple judge warned his ruling could have “serious ramifications” for Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox, which also operate “walled garden” ecosystems.
Update:GamesIndustry.biz received a statement from Epic Games, adding that it will present its case to the Tribunal on January 21.
“We think this is an important point to make on behalf of consumers and developers in the UK and around the world who are affected by the deviation of market power from Apple and Google,” the vice said. -President of Communications and Policy, Tera Randall.
“Epic is not seeking damages from Apple or Google in the UK, Australia or the US, it is simply seeking fair access and competition that will benefit all consumers.”
Update 2: Apple also issued a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, in which the company stated:
For twelve years, the App Store has helped developers turn their brightest ideas into apps that change the world. Our priorities have always been to provide customers with a safe and reliable place to download software and to apply the rules equally to all developers. Epic has been one of the most successful developers on the App Store, growing into a multi-billion dollar company reaching millions of iOS customers around the world, including the UK.
“In a way that a judge described as deceptive and clandestine, Epic activated a feature of their app that was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intention of violating the App Store guidelines that apply equally to all developers and protect Their reckless behavior has made pawns of customers, and we look forward to making it clear to the UK courts.
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