Epic Games Battles Apple via EU Watchdog

Epic Games has taken its battle against Apple over its AppStore payment system and control over app downloads to EU antitrust regulators. 

The two companies have been in a fight since last August, when Epic Games tried to avoid Apple's 30% fee on some in-app purchases on the App Store by launching its own in-app payment system. This drove Apple to remove Epic's Fortnite game off the App Store and threaten to terminate an affiliated account that would have blocked distribution of Unreal Engine - a software tool used by app makers.

"The 30% they charge as their app tax, they can make it 50% or 90% or 100%. Under their theory of how these markets are structured, they have every right to do that," he told reporters.

"Epic is not asking any court or regulator to change this 30% to some other number, only to restore competition on IOS”, Epic Games founder and Chief Executive - Tim Sweeney commented.

The company also accused Apple of stopping competitors from launching their own gaming subscription service on its platform by preventing them from bundling several games together, even though their Apple Arcade service does just that.

"In ways a judge has described as deceptive and clandestine, Epic enabled a feature in its app, which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines that apply equally to every developer and protect customers. Their reckless behaviour made pawns of customers, and we look forward to making this clear to the European Commission”, Apple said in a statement. 

The Commission has confirmed the receipt of the complaint. Epic Games has also complained to the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal and to the Australian watchdog.

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