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Lawsuit Started Between Apple and Epic Games

Epic Games, the maker of shooting game Fortnite, and technology giant Apple face each other in court this week. The case could have significant implications for the wider tech world.

 

Today in the United States begins a process that will likely take weeks. The game’s developer accuses Apple of abusing its position of power by requiring apps to use Apple’s payment system and hand over 30 percent of all proceeds.

According to experts, this is one of the most important lawsuits in the American tech world in years. That is because the revenue model of large tech companies such as Apple and Google is under discussion here. Since last year, Epic and Apple have been in a battle after Epic unilaterally decided to include its payment system in its iPhone app. Apple prohibits this in its terms of use and therefore removed Epic’s programs from the App Store.

The matter has already been taken to court. In October, a federal judge in Oakland, California, dismissed the game maker’s demand to reinstate the deleted game for the time being and allow Epic to use its payment option.

Epic has also filed complaints against Apple in the European Union, Great Britain and Australia. At the same time, Epic isn’t the only company protesting Apple’s actions. For example, Spotify has been complaining for some time about the benefits that Apple’s music service Apple Music enjoys, according to the Swedes.

The last complaint led to Apple receiving a warning from the European Commission last week. According to Brussels, Apple hampers competition in the music streaming market by requiring other music streaming services to use Apple’s payment system. The market watchdog is also concerned that apps in the App Store cannot report that taking out a subscription is cheaper outside of the App Store. The European Commission’s indictment is the first step towards a possible fine for Apple.

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