Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match Group file court brief in Epic v. Apple to protest Apple's plan to charge fees for payments made outside the App Store
Apple has been fighting Epic Games and the App Store's anti-competitive terms for many years, but Apple's
Exhibit Proposed Amicus Brief – #904, Att. #1 in Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple Inc. (ND Cal., 4:20-cv-05640) – CourtListener.com
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17442392/904/1/epic-games-inc-v-apple-inc/
Apple Faces Legal Protest From Meta, Microsoft, X, Spotify and Match - WSJ
https://www.wsj.com/tech/apple-faces-legal-protest-from-meta-microsoft-x-and-match-7fe41d0f
Meta, Microsoft, X and Match join Epic Games' battle against Apple | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/meta-microsoft-x-match-join-epic-games-battle-against-apple-2024-03-20/
Apple Plans to Open App Store Payments Fought by Meta, X, Microsoft - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-20/meta-microsoft-x-band-together-against-apple-s-app-store-plans
In the iOS app store App Store, the rule was that ``30% of sales such as in-app purchases are collected as a fee,'' so in August 2020, Epic Games introduced a unique payment method within the app. We introduced this service and tried to avoid fees by inducing links. However, since Apple did not allow in-app purchases outside of the App Store, it claimed that Epic Games violated the terms and removed Epic Games' popular game ``Fortnite'' from the App Store. Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Apple, and a long legal battle began.
'Fortnite' developer Epic Games sues Apple - GIGAZINE
After nearly three and a half years of wrangling, the U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Apple in nine out of 10 claims, denying Epic Games' claim that Apple is violating antitrust laws with its App Store. It was. On the other hand, the court ordered Apple to ``allow apps distributed on the App Store to provide links to third-party external payment systems.'' Subsequently, on January 16, 2024, the Federal Supreme Court rejected both Apple's and Epic Games' requests to appeal the appellate court's judgment, confirming Apple's overall victory.
The Federal Supreme Court refuses to hear the Apple vs. Epic Games lawsuit, and although Apple's victory is almost certain, it is necessary to approve ``payment systems outside the App Store'' - GIGAZINE
Accordingly, Apple has updated its App Store guidelines. Developers are allowed to provide external payment systems other than the App Store and link users to them within the app. However, Apple has stipulated that it will collect a 12% to 27% fee on sales from external payment systems, and Epic Games has announced that it will object to this fee, saying ``this fee undermines the court order.'' Masu.
Apple finally allows ``link insertion to external billing system'' in iPhone apps, but fees will be charged - GIGAZINE
Meta, Microsoft, X, Match Group, and Spotify agreed with Epic Games' claims, saying, ``Apple's large fees in external payment systems allow app developers to drive users to their own payment systems.'' 'This is not consistent with the letter or spirit of the 2021 ruling requiring Apple to do so,' they wrote in a joint court brief criticizing Apple in federal court in Oakland, California.
Meta et al. ``Apple's external payment system imposes new restrictions on app developers to prevent price competition,'' and ``fees of up to 27% force developers to link to external payment methods.'' It provides very little incentive.' In addition, ``Apple's series of actions entrenches anti-steering rules that courts should have determined to be illegal, supports Apple's excessive fees, and has a negative impact on consumers and developers.''
In response to a series of complaints, Apple is required to provide a formal response by April 3, 2024. Please note that Apple has not made any specific comments regarding this accusation.
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