Apple CEO Tim Cook Set to Testify This Week in Epic Games Antitrust Lawsuit

Apple CEO Tim Cook will take the stand in the Epic Games trial later this week or early next.

A new WSJ report explains that Cook is gearing up to testify this week against antitrust allegations brought by Fortnite-maker Epic Games, which accused the tech giant of being a “Venus fly trap” and a price-gouging monopoly.

Cook reportedly has former prosecutors grilling him as part of the practice rounds, all with the aim of trying to simulate what Cook will have to deal with when he takes the stand, explains the report.

“His testimony is likely to be the most detailed public discussion he will give on a subject that is likely to loom over Apple for years to come,” the report notes. “Mr. Cook has been preparing for the trial, according to a person familiar with his effort. That has included hours of practice rounds from former prosecutors chosen by his legal team to simulate the witness stand.”

Cook will be defending the App Store by talking about the economic success and an entirely separate industry it has managed to create. Apple frequently celebrates the success of the App Store, as it recently talked about how the App Store has managed to stop $1.5 billion USD in fraudulent transactions.

Cook won’t be the only high-profile appearance, though. Both Phil Schiller and Craig Federighi are expected to give evidence this week ahead of Cook’s 100-minute-long testimony.

“Apple’s former marketing chief ‌Phil Schiller‌, now a company fellow, and Craig Federighi, head of software, are likely witnesses this week while Mr. Cook, who is scheduled to be on the stand for a total of 100 minutes, is expected toward the end of the week or early next week, as the trial in Oakland, Calif., looks to wrap up,” WSJ reports.

The trial kicked off earlier this month with opening arguments from Epic Games, which attacked the App Store as a breakthrough idea that has since morphed into an instrument of financial exploitation that illegally locks out competition.

Epic attorney Katherine Forrest accused Apple of turning its online marketplace into a monopoly “walled garden” that lures in developers and users before squeezing money out of them.