Mikey Campbell
Epic Games is looking to form a coalition of like-minded companies as it wages legal war against Apple and the tech giant's App Store business, according to a report Monday.
Citing people familiar with the matter, The Information reports Epic has over the past few weeks reached out to executives at tech firms regarding the formation of a so-called "coalition" of Apple critics.
Specifics were left unreported, though Epic reportedly discussed the matter with Spotify prior to filing suit against Apple last week. The streaming music titan, a noted critic of the App Store business model that lodged its own antitrust complaint against Apple in 2019, was not yet part of the coalition as of last week, the report said.
Spotify did, however, come out in support of Epic's legal action shortly after the suit was filed, saying, "Apple's unfair practices have disadvantaged competitors and deprived consumers for far too long. The stakes for consumers and app developers large and small couldn't be higher and ensuring that the iOS platform operates competitively and fairly is an urgent task with far-reaching implications."
It remains unclear as to what purpose a formalized anti-Apple group would serve, but one unnamed source described the effort as a means to steer public perception of the iPhone maker in Epic's favor. Epic's desire to take the fight out of court and into the public arena was made clear last week when the gaming company released a short Fortnite-styled video lampooning Apple's "1984" ad. The parody hit Twitter and was broadcast in-game minutes after the lawsuit was announced.
Epic in what appears to be an attempt to bait Apple into removing the popular battle royale game from the App Store updated the app to include a direct payment option. The new payment method bypasses in-app transaction mechanisms provided by Apple and Google, a clear violation of both stores' rules. In response, Apple, and later Google, pulled the title from circulation. Epic had a lawsuit and corresponding PR strategy locked and loaded.
On Monday, Apple doubled down on its position and threatened to terminate Epic's developer account by Aug. 28 if the firm failed to fall in line with App Store guidelines. The move would impact Epic's access to SDKs, meaning the company's Unreal Engine would also be rendered unusable for hundreds of third-party iOS and Mac apps that rely on the software to function. Epic is requesting a temporary restraining order against Apple's action as it awaits a court date.
As for Epic's coalition of Apple detractors, it appears the firm was preparing for a fight well ahead of last week's legal maneuvering. Whether the gaming company will find success in creating such a group remains unclear. Many developers, even those who side with Epic on allegedly monopolistic App Store policies like fees, fear reprisal from Apple.
Indeed, one executive at an unnamed game maker said he supported measures that would lower the App Store's traditional 30% commission rate, but voiced concern that creating a coalition for the purpose could itself violate antitrust laws, today's report said.
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55 Comments
These guys really know how to bite the hand that feeds them. I would love to see a report showing just how much Epic has grossed from Apple App Store sales alone.
What a pathetic, desperate, malicious company.
They fucked themselves completely from their own doing, with a failed campaign that only led to self sabotage. Not only did they knowingly break the terms of their agreement, they had a 62 page lawsuit ready to go along with a twisted version of Apple's classic 1984 ad as icing on the cake. Now, they're begging the courts to stop Apple from revoking all their access (which is well within Apple's rights and their only logical course of action).
Again, pathetic company.
Apple invented the modern smartphone hardware, OS, app store, development tools, and many of the underlying concepts. After many years they built a successful business and loyal customer base and they allow other companies to share in that success. There was a tremendous cost to develop all that and to continue to maintain it. Does Apple make a profit? of course, as they should for their innovative, successful hard work. Epic is making a profit too - but apparently they feel they want more than a 70% slice to use the Apple platform and tap into this audience. If Epic doesn’t like the rules then stick to consoles and PCs. Epic has gone about his the wrong way, instead of negotiating like big boys they come across as a bratty little kid using tactics to bad mouth Apple. Very foolish, Long term, Epic has more to lose in this battle than Apple - at some point - like all other video games - the Fortnite fad will fade away, then what?
And in other news,
A cart vendor rolls into a Mall, sets up shop, never consulted the management of the mall, has no contract.
After he is removed from the mall, goes down the road to another mall. does the same thing and gets kicked out.
Now the cart vendor is suing both malls for "Antitrust", and suing one of the malls to let him in anyway.. Irregardless of whether he has any legal right to do so.
I wonder who wins this one... It's probably pretty obvious.
An analogy to this was posted elsewhere, I altered it as to not plagiarize it completely..
I forget who said this, some French guy I think (I am paraphrasing): "The surest way to fool yourself is to think you're smarter than others."
Epic.