Epic files for injunction against 2021 US court ruling on iOS alternative in-app payments

14 March 2024
Epic Games is accusing Apple of violating court orders which forced Cupertino to open up to alternative in-app payments.

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Anonymous, 14 Mar 2024Developers kit = Apple Apps Store = Apple Platform = Appl... moreStumbling on the argument that Apple's fees are just the cost of doing business made me pause. I had to jump in, couldn't help myself. After all, it’s not every day you see such a... unique take.

Let’s get something straight: I’m not suggesting Apple roll out the red carpet and let us all waltz through the App Store without paying a dime. Far from it. I understand the lights need to stay on at Cupertino. But, when we talk about fairness, comparing Apple's take from every app sale to a landlord charging rent might be stretching it.

Here’s a thought: Imagine if every coffee shop had to give a cut of every cup sold back to the landlord. Sounds a bit off, right? That's because, in the real world, businesses usually pay rent, maybe some fees for extra services, but not a slice of every sale.

Now, I get it, Apple offers a lot – a platform, an audience, some security checks. But when they take a 30% cut, you've got to wonder if we're losing the plot. Especially when they play it fast and loose with the rules, depending on whether you're a big name or the little guy.

And just to be clear, no one’s asking for a free ride here. It's more about asking why the toll keeper needs such a big piece of the pie, especially when there's no other bridge to cross.

So, here's to hoping for a bit more balance on the scales. Because, at the end of the day, isn’t the App Store supposed to be about bringing together innovative minds, not just filling up an already overflowing coffer?

    Kangal, 15 Mar 2024It wouldn't work. You would need like 80% of Big Deve... more‘It wouldn't work.
    You would need like 80% of Big Developers to quit and cancel their Apps on the iOS Platform in the short span of a year. That's when it would become lop-sided. And if something like that were to happen, you think Apple would sit idly by? No way! Apple would change their Terms and Conditions overnight, and try to prevent such "App-pocalypse" from happening. But it wouldn't happen in the first place anyhow.’

    I agree it’ll never happen, but Apple cannot actually force 3rd party developers to work for them. If such a thing were to happen Apple would indeed likely be forced to change things up…….

      DaFink, 14 Mar 2024‘Epic should just make there app exclusive to Android. Soon... moreIt wouldn't work.
      You would need like 80% of Big Developers to quit and cancel their Apps on the iOS Platform in the short span of a year. That's when it would become lop-sided. And if something like that were to happen, you think Apple would sit idly by? No way! Apple would change their Terms and Conditions overnight, and try to prevent such "App-pocalypse" from happening. But it wouldn't happen in the first place anyhow.

      There probably was a chance for it to work back in 2011, when we had phenomenal phones like the Samsung S2 and Note 1, all those features, and the newly released Android 4.0 operating system. Against the iPhone 4 and 4S running the lacklustre iOS v4/v5 software. The way to do it, would have been Google offering a 5% tax for small developers, and a flat 10% tax for big developers. Then have Sideloading locked, and to allow phone owners to unlock their phone completely (bootloader, root, sideloading) in a single way. Then OEMs can be satisfied and have their warranty satisfied.

      However, it was true the iPhone held the edge in terms of efficiency and performance in a practical sense in 2011. It was a huge gap from 2007-2010, and it got smaller as technologies converged. The gap was mostly nullified in 2016, and completely in 2019. Since then Apple still held the advantage but in a synthetic or theoretical sense. But they still charge a premium for things that aren't true.

        Too bad Epic can’t bring EU cronies to US. They would stand more of a chance then.

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          • Anonymous
          • YUU
          • 14 Mar 2024

          jimbo.4k, 14 Mar 2024Stumbling upon your argument was nothing short of an epipha... moreDevelopers kit = Apple
          Apps Store = Apple
          Platform = Apple
          Rental + Fee

          Land = Apple
          Building = Apple
          Building maintenance = Apple
          Rental + Fee

          By your logic, Apple or people who doing business should just give free whatever services out there just because the business doesn't want to be labeled as monopoly?? Tell me, which commercial building doesn't charge for maintenance fees or other type of fees if you rented a space there?? Even shopping mall have a lot of "fees" if you want to rent and do business there 🙄🤦🏻‍♂️

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            • Anonymous
            • 3rQ
            • 14 Mar 2024

            DaFink, 14 Mar 2024‘Epic should just make there app exclusive to Android. Soon... morethat's where you're probably wrong. like any other company, they just want more profit.
            Lets say the sell 10 copies at $10 and get $70 out of it.
            If they instead sold it at $7 and got 100 percent of it. They still get the same return, BUT, now because it's cheaper, more than 10 people could afford to buy it (and probably will), thus getting them more money.

              Anonymous, 14 Mar 2024Imagine you build your business on your own land and rent u... moreStumbling upon your argument was nothing short of an epiphany, compelling me to leap into the fray. How could I not? It's rare to witness such a unique interpretation of logic. In fact, I felt so moved by the need to address your points that I created an account specifically for this purpose.

              Consider this: Imagine if a McDonald's or KFC franchise operated on a plot of land, with the landlord then demanding $2 - $5 for every premium burger or bucket of chicken sold. This effectively mirrors the situation with Apple's App Store. Instead of an upfront charge for listing an app, Apple takes a slice of your sales revenue. Epic Games argues this arrangement is unfair, especially given Apple's tight control over the App Store, which limits developers' options for distributing their apps. It's as if the landlord isn't satisfied with just leasing you the space but also insists on taking a portion of your sales.

              For instance, if Epic Games earns $30 million in a year from their app, Apple automatically applies its 30% commission, netting Apple $9 million and leaving Epic with the remaining $21 million. Thus, the revenue Epic Games receives is already reduced by Apple’s commission, underscoring the control Apple holds over the financial aspects of app distribution.

              Now, consider the multitude of apps subject to this regime and the colossal revenue Apple reports annually from these commissions. Does it truly cost Apple that much to host the apps, process payments (a service many didn't explicitly ask for), and provide security? While Apple argues that these fees cover the costs of maintaining the ecosystem, offering customer support, and ensuring security, one can't help but wonder: Are the benefits provided to developers and consumers proportional to the costs incurred? This situation beckons a deeper examination of the balance between fair compensation and leveraging market dominance for disproportionate profit.

                pl2rts, 14 Mar 2024Epic should just make there app exclusive to Android. Soon ... more‘Epic should just make there app exclusive to Android. Soon after that Apple would beg them to return cause they lose a lot of customers who cant play there games anymore on apple platform and switch platform to android.’

                Wow imagine that, supply and demand at work……

                  Epic should just make there app exclusive to Android. Soon after that Apple would beg them to return cause they lose a lot of customers who cant play there games anymore on apple platform and switch platform to android.

                  Let apple be the status symbol with no apps and see how long it will last.
                  Apple is just maffia that will burn your house down if you dont pay them for protection

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                    • AnonD-1147675
                    • 03P
                    • 14 Mar 2024

                    [deleted post]I hope that's sarcasm

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                      • Anonymous
                      • Iby
                      • 14 Mar 2024

                      It's incredible how none of you have sent idea how the American legal system works, probably because most of you come from countries without functioning legal systems.

                        Anonymous, 14 Mar 2024Imagine you build your business on your own land and rent u... moreBut owning land doesn't mean you must also have full regulation

                        Monopoly on regulation causes serious corruption

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                          • Anonymous
                          • 05a
                          • 14 Mar 2024

                          TechJocky, 14 Mar 2024That means the US has a ruined justice system.Do you mean a court system where the wife of a SCOTUS actively tried to force an insurrection and then the SCOTUS dismissed it all is corrupt? What do you base that on? The multimillion dollar bribes those SCOTUS members take, without any consequence?

                          There is definitely a revolution coming in the US, but it is not the one the "GOP" think they're getting.

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                            • Anonymous
                            • fCC
                            • 14 Mar 2024

                            This court battle may go on for a of time, because Batman EU can't deliver swift justice outside EU

                              ThunderCrackR, 14 Mar 2024They should just ask EU for help in the US as well - will g... moreThat means the US has a ruined justice system.

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                                • Anonymous
                                • YUU
                                • 14 Mar 2024

                                Imagine you build your business on your own land and rent up some portion of the land for others. Then this business saying that the rental is too much. This is what basically Epic Games 🤷🏻‍♂️

                                  Its funny that they fight for something that none of user/players want in the first place :D

                                    They just don't stop fighting huh

                                      They should just ask EU for help in the US as well - will get fixed in 3 days :))

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