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Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney says an appeal to its case against Apple is in the works. An appeal is “in the queue for the Supreme Court to consider hearing,” Sweeney said on X. The leader of Epic Games, the company behind Unreal Engine and Fortnite, is riding high after Epic’s win against Google on December 11. In the landmark case, the jury came down with a verdict that Google’s Play Store and in-app billing system have illegal monopoly power.
The jury also decided that the tie between the two is illegal. And that Google’s secret lucrative deals that were designed to stifle competition and keep rival app stores down and out had hurt Epic. It’s still unclear what will happen to Google (if anything) following yesterday’s decision. Google has confirmed it will appeal the verdict. Judge James Donato will also have to decide on what Google’s remedy terms are. Which are supposed to begin in January 2024. But the way is clear for Epic and Sweeney. It’s “on to Cupertino,” the CEO said in another post on X.
Epic Games plans to appeal the Apple trial verdict
If you’re relatively new to the details of this case, the whole thing is about app store fees. It began with both Apple and Google and each company’s 30% fee for any in-app transactions that happened from apps downloaded through their stores. Epic felt these fees were too high and sued both companies. It went to trial with Apple first but that trial had a very different outcome. Apple was awarded the victory earlier this year.
Sweeney is not one to take a loss lying down, however. After a victory against the company that owns the largest app distribution platform globally, Epic is going back for another round against Apple. This time to hopefully win. Should that happen, both iOS and Android stand to go through massive changes with regard to the way apps are distributed.
Both Google and Apple could be forced to allow other in-app payment systems. They could also be forced to do away with or lower the in-app billing fees. It’s tough to say now without knowing for sure whether or not the Supreme Court will even heart Epic’s appeal.
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