Epic Games has widened its dispute with Apple and Google in U.K.

Epic Games has widened its case against Apple and Google in the United Kingdom. As reported by Bloomberg, Epic has made a new filing in the U.K. calling out Apple for its decision to remove Fortnite from the App Store, saying that the Cupertino tech giant is abusing its ‘dominant position’ in the market. 

Apple has been involved in an on-going court battle with Epic Games since August. The dispute started when Epic put in a direct payment system in Fortnite, without Apple’s approval to avoid paying the 30% commission on in-app purchases. As a consequence, Apple removed the game from its App Store

Epic Games has widened its dispute with Apple and Google in the U.K.

This marks the first step in Epic Games’ quest to get Fortnite reinstated on the App Store in the UK. The company has highlighted three allegations against Apple, all in regards to the company’s control over the iOS in-app payment processing market.

1. Reserving to itself the sole channel for the distribution of apps to and/or the payment processing mechanism for purchases of in-app content for and by consumers who use iPhones and iPads
2. Using its position of dominance to charge unfair prices for the distribution of apps via the App Store and/or use of the Apple IAP
3. Its response to the introduction by Epic of price competition for purchases of in-app content in Fortnite

Epic Games is trying to receive relief from the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, pleading to the agency to declare that Apple’s removal of Fortnite from the UK App Store was practically ‘unlawful’. In addition to this, the company seeks an order requiring Apple to remove the restrictions on third-party in-app payment processing.

1. An order restraining Apple from taking or threatening further action against Epic in relation to certain changes it made to the Fortnite iOS app
2. An order requiring Apple to reinstate the relevant Apple Developer Account
3. An order preventing Apple from making access to the iOS software and/or
4. Any other Apple software conditional on the use of the App Store and/or the Apple IAP

In a statement to 9to5Mac, Tera Randall, Epic’s Vice President of communications and policy said:

Epic Games has launched legal proceedings against Apple and Google in the United Kingdom, expanding its fight to advance fair digital platform practices for consumers and developers.

The legal proceedings, filed in London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, allege the conduct of both Apple and Google in their respective app stores is an abuse of a dominant position and in breach of the UK’s competition laws, substantially reducing competition in app distribution and payment processes.

We believe that this is an important argument to make on behalf of consumers and developers in the UK and around the world who are impacted by Apple and Google’s misuse of market power. We look forward to making our case on January 21.

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.

Both companies are currently engaged in a heated legal battle, and a trial is set in the United States for later this year.

via Bloomberg

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