Epic Games vs. Apple antitrust case has adjourned, now the companies fate is in Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ hands. After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Rogers will now take time to deliberate testimonies to pass a ruling. But how long will that be? We don’t know for sure because, at the end of the last day of trial, a date was not given.
The scope of the antitrust case is to determine if Apple has created a monopoly by controlling apps’ distribution and payment methods on the App Store. Epic Games claims that Apple’s app review and In-app payment (IAP) policies are anticompetitive because the company charges developers a 30% share cut for all IAPs. Apple counters that argument that saying that App Store rules and policies are implemented to provide a safe and secure digital marketplace to users. And the capital earned by the IAP is used to support and improve the App Store’s review process, technical support to developers, security and other services.
Epic Games vs. Apple antitrust case ruling might come in a few months
During the 4 hours long closing statements session, Judge Rogers’ asked several questions from both companies. As reported by @leah_nylen she asked Apple about alternatives to the App Store to which the company’s lawyer said that there were substitutes for the digital store and not of the apps’ distribution on iPhone.
YGR: Your market definition doesn't include substitutes because that doesn't reflect reality.
Bornstein: The substitutes would be direct distribution or alternative app stores. We do not believe that distribution of an app on Android or console is an economic substitute.— Leah AntiTrustButVer1fy Nylen (@leah_nylen) May 24, 2021
She commented that even with the change in the operating systems, the in-app purchases remain the same. Furthermore, the arguments from both sides covered App Store’s security, 30% commission rate, developers’ satisfaction, competition, anti-steering, and other App Store-related issues.
Bornstein: Here we are dealing with the App Store and it sells transactions.
YGR: It has free apps which you consistently ignore.
Bornstein: Absolutely not. They are also stuck.
YGR: I haven't heard any complaints from entities who are benefitting.— Leah AntiTrustButVer1fy Nylen (@leah_nylen) May 24, 2021
The judge said that she will need time to review all the testimony and evidence submitted during the trial, so considering the number of documents submitted it might take her over a month to come to a conclusion. At this stage, it is not clear which side will the ruling favor which is likely to be a perplexing time for Apple as its entire ecosystem depends on it. But interesting, she did say that Epic seems to have an ulterior motive to become from a multi-billion company to a multi-trillion company.
Read More:
- Apple CEO Tim Cook testimony: “Epic’s actions were malicious“
- Accusing Epic of being Microsoft’s “stalking horse” Apple files for dismissal of Xbox executive testimony partnership in ongoing legal battle
- Even if Apple wins against Epic, it will have to make changes for developers
- Snapchat is happy to pay 30% commission to Apple “without Apple we wouldn’t exist”
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