Yep. A lot of news media companies are questioning Amazon’s lower App Store fees and membership to a program that Apple only just recently revealed. Apple allows lower fees for this program in return for integrating certain iOS features (Siri is one examples). This program only includes three members. These companies are inquiring about what exactly did Amazon do to be included. They want the same opportunity.
Epic Sues Apple and Google due to Fortnite getting pulled [2020-08-13, 2021-05-03]
- Thread starter eastmen
- Start date
Yep. A lot of news media companies are questioning Amazon’s lower App Store fees and membership to a program that Apple only just recently revealed. Apple allows lower fees for this program in return for integrating certain iOS features (Siri is one examples). This program only includes three members. These companies are inquiring about what exactly did Amazon do to be included. They want the same opportunity.
The thing is, Epic cited the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Do they really expect to make a case about antitrust themselves or did they cite it to see if the govt. would prosecute the antitrust law?
They may argue that the antitrust law applies in this case but I would think they'd have to convince the govt. to prosecute an antitrust case against Apple.
Do they really expect to make a case about antitrust themselves or did they cite it to see if the govt. would prosecute the antitrust law?
They may argue that the antitrust law applies in this case but I would think they'd have to convince the govt. to prosecute an antitrust case against Apple.
It would be the DOJ which prosecutes for antitrust.
I don't know that Bernie will champion Epic, since Sweeney is probably a billionaire himself or very very rich.
Antitrust lawsuits can be filed by govt or non govt entities.
https://www.mayerbrown.com/-/media/...0usapdfpdf/fileattachment/pal2010-usa-pdf.pdf
Not champion Epic, but he'd certainly break up Apple.
On what basis exactly? Apple is not a monopoly in any of its markets.
Because Apple is too big? Then MS better watch out because it's around $2 trillion in market cap too. And it still has a desktop OS and office productivity monopolies, probably at least 80% in each of those markets, still generating a ton of licensing revenues every year.
Bernie wouldn't be the one to decide that a company be broken up.
It would be a judge or the Supreme Court and it will only be after years of litigation.
I don't doubt MS, Google and Amazon would also be targets. Not that the left is going to have its way in a Biden government.
You have to ask yourself if Apple were broken up would they act the same way. I think the answer is a big fat no. There's no doubt they use their market position to exert pressure to maintain non competitive behavior
How would you break them up exactly?
And how is charging 30% anti-competitive? Fortnite made a fortune paying 30% for a couple of years. Of course they could have made an even bigger fortune if they only paid 15%.
But they could have really promoted Android, not even put out an iOS version. Side load and keep all the money. Or make an Android store or cut a deal with Amazon store on Android.
In any event, if Epic gets their way, it could have an effect on the console market because the same arguments could be made against Sony or MS having too much control over which games get on their platforms.
And how is charging 30% anti-competitive? Fortnite made a fortune paying 30% for a couple of years. Of course they could have made an even bigger fortune if they only paid 15%.
But they could have really promoted Android, not even put out an iOS version. Side load and keep all the money. Or make an Android store or cut a deal with Amazon store on Android.
In any event, if Epic gets their way, it could have an effect on the console market because the same arguments could be made against Sony or MS having too much control over which games get on their platforms.
tongue_of_colicab
Veteran
So Apple doesn't only want a 30% cut of sales though an app, they'll also block your app if nothing can be purchased through the app (either in app or through a browser) but you sell something on your own platform.
Apple blocked WordPress updates because it didn't have a in-app purchase option. Even removing access to the paid pages wasn't enough. Apple would only allow the app if WordPress would offer in app purchases and thus giving Apple their 30% cut.
Now it isn't a question about fair or not anymore. This is downright criminal.
Unfortunately I doubt Tim Crook will ever see the inside of a jail though.
Apple blocked WordPress updates because it didn't have a in-app purchase option. Even removing access to the paid pages wasn't enough. Apple would only allow the app if WordPress would offer in app purchases and thus giving Apple their 30% cut.
Now it isn't a question about fair or not anymore. This is downright criminal.
Unfortunately I doubt Tim Crook will ever see the inside of a jail though.
Just force sideloading and third party stores down their throat, simplest solution.
Yes, in principle the situation is similar to consoles. But consoles are a tiny market, with much healthier competition. So in practice it isn't the same situation.
If Microsoft had an exclusive store with 30% cut during their anti-trust case, what would have happened?