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Agence France-Presse

In a court clash with potentially huge repercussions for the world of mobile tech, Fortnite maker Epic Games will on Monday take on Apple to break its grip on its online marketplace.
The case opening in federal court comes with Apple feeling pressure from a wide range of app makers over its tight control of the App Store, which critics say represents monopolistic behaviour.
The two firms will be debating whether Apple has the right to set ground rules, control payment systems and kick out apps from its marketplace that fail to comply.
Also at stake will be Apple’s slice of revenue from iPhone apps, as much as 30 per cent.
Apple disadvantaged music streaming rivals like Spotify, EU argues
Apple contends that its commission is the industry norm, and is fair compensation for giving developers a global storefront and keeping it secure.
Epic, which is seeking to return to the App Store without being forced to use Apple’s payment scheme, is not alone in its criticism.
The European Union on Friday formally accused Apple of unfairly squeezing out music streaming rivals based on a complaint brought by Sweden-based Spotify and others which claim the California group sets rules that favour its own Apple Music.
A recently formed Coalition for App Fairness, which includes both Spotify and Epic, have called for Apple to open up its marketplace, claiming its commission is a “tax” on rivals.

Apple booted Fortnite from its online mobile marketplace last year after Epic released an update that dodged revenue sharing with the iPhone maker.
Apple does not allow users of its popular devices to download apps from anywhere but its App Store, and developers have to use Apple’s payment system which takes its cut of up to 30 per cent – a percentage which goes down after the first year and is waived for those with limited revenues.
Due to the legal row, Fortnite fans using iPhones or other Apple devices no longer have access to the latest game updates.
We will not stand idly by and allow Apple to use its platform dominance to control what should be a level digital playing field
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney
After months of duelling legal filings, a trial before District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is to begin with Epic laying out its case in opening remarks.
Apple is to counter with its position before witness testimony begins. The companies agreed to leave the verdict up to the judge instead of a jury.
Some analysts say Apple appears on firm ground in defending its turf.
Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives said: “The Street views the bark worse than the bite on this trial and when Apple wins, we believe it will embolden the company’s iron grip on its App Store and fee structure.”
Fortnite’s Gen Z gamers feel socially cut off after Apple removes app
The trial is being held in a courtroom across the bay from San Francisco, and witnesses are to include the chief executives of Apple and Epic.
Rogers has tightly restricted access to the courtroom due to Covid-19 risks, allowing the public to listen to proceedings via a phone line or Zoom.
The legal battle comes as Apple puts priority on selling digital content and subscription services to the one billion-plus people around the world using devices powered by its iOS mobile operating software.
“Who gets the money for Epic’s games is what they are fighting for,” said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group. “I think Apple is in the wrong here when it comes to the good of the industry; you want to fund innovation not distribution.”

Epic earlier this year lodged a complaint against Apple with EU antitrust authorities, deepening its bitter feud with the iPhone-maker over its app store.
“We will not stand idly by and allow Apple to use its platform dominance to control what should be a level digital playing field,” Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said in a statement when the complaint was filed.
The company said the complaint “complements” legal proceedings it has launched in the United States, Australia and Britain.
Epic has said is seeking decisions by authorities to force Apple to amend its practices for all developers.
The 5 most important video games of the last decade, from Minecraft to Fortnite
As the battle over App Store control rages, Apple has not backed down. And it has ignited further complaints by implementing a new privacy policy which limits the ability of third-party apps to track users – a feature critics say also favours Apple’s in-house services.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has accused Apple of imposing rules for outside developers that it does not apply to its own services.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said the change is about “giving the user the ability to make a decision about whether they want to be tracked or not. And so, it’s putting the user in the control. Not Apple, not another company.”


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Fortnite

Fortnite maker set for epic court fight with Apple over its App Store control

Due to the legal row, Fortnite fans using iPhones or other Apple devices no longer have access to the latest game updates. Photo: Zuma Press/TNS

This illustration picture shows the logo from Epic Games displayed on a laptop and an Apple Logo on an iPhone in Arlington, Virginia on April 30, 2021. - In a court clash with potentially huge repercussions for the world of mobile tech, Fortnite maker Epic Games takes on Apple starting on May 3, 2021, aiming to break the grip of the iPhone maker on its online marketplace. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

epa08623376 A teenage girl plays the video game Fortnite, on an Apple iPhone X in Billerica, Massachusetts, USA, 24 August 2020. Epic Games Inc., the maker of the popular game Fortnite, is in a legal battle with Apple Inc., NASDAQ: APPL, following the removal of the game from the iOS App Store over a dispute on the distribution of income from in-app purchases of the game Fortnite. EPA-EFE/CJ GUNTHER

Fortnite’s Gen Z gamers feel socially cut off after Apple, Google remove app

The popular video game Fortnite by Epic Games. Photo: Reuters

The popular video game "Fortnite" by Epic Games is pictured on a screen in this picture illustration August 14, 2020. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/Illustration

epa07166186 Visitors play the online game FortNite during the annual global game trade fair G-Star at the BEXCO exhibition center in Busan, South Korea, 15 November 2018. The G-Star 2018 is held from 15 to 18 November. EPA-EFE/JEON HEON-KYUN

Fortnite is 2019’s top-grossing game despite making no money in China

Tencent, which owns a 40% stake in US developer Epic Games, launched Fortnite in China in April 2018. (Picture: Epic Games)

American teen Kyle Giersdorf wins US$3 million at Fortnite World Cup video game tournament

Kyle Giersdorf celebrates after winning the Fortnite World Cup solo final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City. Photo: AFP

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People playing Fortnite at DreamHack Atlanta 2018. Photo: AFP

Esports - EStars Grand Final featuring FORTNITE - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 31, 2019 Gamers taking part in the Fortnite tournament Henry Nicholls for EStars via Action Images

Gamers playing Fortnite at the EStars Grand Final in Stamford Bridge, London on March 31, 2019. Photo: Reuters

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The firms will be debating whether Apple has the right to set ground rules, control payment systems and remove apps from its marketplace that fail to comply
Apple booted Fortnite from its online mobile marketplace last year after Epic released an update that dodged revenue sharing with the iPhone maker



Apple booted Fortnite from its online mobile marketplace last year after Epic released an update that dodged revenue sharing with the iPhone maker.
