Epic Games Appeals to Australia’s Market Regulators About Apple’s Anti-Competitive Practises

Epic Games has approached the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to make an appeal regarding its stance on Apple’s anti-competitive practices. While Epic’s beliefs are nothing new, considering the company is entangled in a lawsuit against the iPhone maker, Epic believes Apple’s practices demonstrate “unrestrained market power”.

The appeal was first reported on by the Australian Financial Review, who stated that Epic approached the ACCC. The company warned the country’s market regulators that Apple’s practices may potentially result in “significant harm” to customers. Similar to what ignited Epic’s lawsuit against Apple, the Fortnite developer warned the ACCC about the power Apple has when charging a 30 percent commission to paid apps and in-app purchases.

Epic believes that since users don’t have other options within the Apple ecosystem, Apple is taking advantage of developers with high fees. The company has argued that customers would end up paying less if Apple and Google, who also charges a 30 percent commission, lowered their mandatory developer fees. The appeal also stated that both Apple and Google should offer fair competition, fair access, and choice to developers and users.

The trial between Epic and Apple has been set to begin in May. Apple CEO will take part and deliver a 7-hour deposition. This legal battle first began last year when Apple pulled Epic’s Fortnite from the App Store when the company introduced its own in-app purchase portal, sidelining Apple’s 30 percent commission.