Original Story: Epic has expanded its ongoing legal battle against Apple and Google by filing new complaints in the UK.
The US company has filed a claim with the Competition Appeal Tribunal against each of the mobile platform holders, claiming that both [their] market dominance and “engaged in anti-competitive agreements / concerted practices” in both the UK and the EU.
The two charges against Apple and Google are the latest step in Epic Games’ campaign to restore Fortnite to app stores and change the way mobile ecosystems work.
The filings were filed on December 8 and 29, respectively, but were only made public by the Tribunal this week.
In August, Epic Games added direct payment options to Fortnite on mobile, avoiding the 30% commission that both Apple and Google require as part of their developer deals.
Both companies subsequently removed Fortnite from their marketplaces, to which Epic responded with antitrust cases.
Now the company is calling on the Competition Appeal Tribunal to rule that the removal of Fortnite from these stores was illegal, as well as certain terms in their developer agreements.
Epic Games also wants Fortnite to be restored in both stores and allow users to pay directly.
The filings are largely similar, but there are some variations in Epic’s requests based on the differences between the way the two marketplaces operate.
In Apple’s case, Epic wants an injunction preventing the company from restricting Epic Games Store downloads to any Apple device in the UK, and an injunction requiring Apple to lift the requirement that all software must be downloaded and all payments must be made. are handled the App Store.
Meanwhile, Epic is asking the Tribunal to order Google to stop imposing preinstallation of Google Play on all Android devices in the UK and demanding that phone manufacturers give this store priority over others.
It also wants Google to stop preventing manufacturers from entering into agreements with Epic about preinstalling the Epic Games Store.
Nor to file a claim for damages or financial compensation, although “such further or other relief as the Tribunal deems appropriate”.
In November, a judge dismissed Apple’s allegations that Epic was guilty of theft as part of this dispute, but said the fight should focus on breach of contract and antitrust claims.
Later that month, Apple lowered its sales and in-app purchase commissions to 15% for developers making 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, retailers and payment processors.”
The trial between Epic and Apple will take place in May. Epic proposed a lawsuit against Google in February, which the internet giant tried to push back to October – something the judge dismissed.
The judge overseeing the Epic vs Apple case has warned that the ruling could have “dire consequences” for Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox, which also exploit “walled garden” ecosystems.
Updating:GamesIndustry.biz has received a statement from Epic Games, adding that it will file its case with the Tribunal on Jan. 21.
“We believe this is an important argument to make on behalf of consumers and developers in the UK and around the world who are facing the abuse of market power by Apple and Google,” said Tera Randall, vice president of communications and communications. policy.
“Epic is not seeking damages from Apple or Google in the UK, Australia or the US, but is simply seeking fair access and competition that will benefit all consumers.”
Update 2: Apple has also issued a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, in which the company said:
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 trusted place to download software and to apply the rules equally to all developers. Epic is one of the most successful developers on the App Store and has grown into a multi-billion dollar company reaching millions of iOS customers around the world, including the UK.
“In ways that a judge has described as deceitful and clandestine, Epic has enabled a feature in its app that was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines that are equally valid. Apply to any developer and protect customers Their reckless behavior made customer pawns, and we look forward to making this clear to courts in the UK.