Epic Games announced today that it has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with the European Union.
"Apple has not only damaged competition in app distribution and payment processes, but has completely eliminated it." This is the accusation made by Epic Games. The game developer has now confirmed that the company has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with the European Union. press release shows:
Tim Sweeney: “The future of mobile platforms is at stake”
Epic Games today announced that it has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with the European Union (“EU”), expanding its fight for fairer digital platform practices for developers and consumers.
The complaint, filed with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition, alleges that Apple has not only damaged but completely eliminated competition in the area of app distribution and payment processes through a series of carefully crafted anti-competitive restrictions. Apple is using its control over the iOS ecosystem to benefit itself while blocking competitors and its conduct is an abuse of a dominant position and a violation of EU competition law.
Epic Games said the move complements ongoing legal processes in the US and Australia, as well as the UK filing. Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney said "the future of mobile platforms" is at stake:
Consumers have the right to install apps from sources of their choice, and developers have the right to compete in a fair marketplace. We will not stand by and allow Apple to use its platform dominance to control what should be a level digital playing field. This is bad for consumers, who pay inflated prices for apps due to the lack of competition between stores and payment processing. And it is bad for developers, whose livelihoods often depend on Apple's complete discretion over who they allow on the iOS platform and under what terms.
Antitrust complaint: “This is much bigger than Epic v. Apple”
In its own notice, Epic says it has been "confronted and harmed" by Apple's "anti-competitive" restrictions, referring to its decision to add a direct payment feature to Fortnite last year. That move led to Apple (and Google) removing Fortnite from their respective app stores, prompting Epic Games to sue both. Epic also says Apple has launched its own gaming service, Apple Arcade, while blocking competitors from doing the same.
The statement concludes:
This is much bigger than Epic v Apple - it goes to the heart of the question of whether consumers and developers can transact directly with each other on mobile platforms, or are forced against their wishes and interests to use monopoly channels. Epic has asked the Commission to address Apple's anti-competitive conduct by imposing timely and effective remedies. Epic is not seeking damages from Apple, as it has in the US, Australia and the UK. The company is simply seeking fair access and competition that benefits consumers and developers.
Epic Games is not the first company to file a complaint against Apple with the EU Commission. However, it remains to be seen whether the whole thing will have the effect Epic hopes for. (Image: Epic Games)
