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Epic Games Files Apple Complaint To UK Antitrust Watchdog

By  |  March 30, 2021

Epic Games filed a complaint about Apple to a British competition watchdog for their “monopolistic practices.” The video game maker accuses Apple of anticompetitive behavior and establishing strict rules on app distribution and payments, which is a violation under British laws. 

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    The watchdog is already probing the tech giant for its stranglehold on the app market, reported The Hill.

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    The complaint from Epic Games stems from Apple taking 30% of in-game purchases, a tactic that other streaming services like Spotify have also taken issue with.

    “By kneecapping the competition and exerting its monopoly power over app distribution and payments, Apple strips U.K. consumers of the right to choose how and where they get their apps, while locking developers into a single marketplace that lets Apple charge any commission rate they choose,” said Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney in a statement.

    Epic Games, the maker of the hugely popular game Fortnite, has been in a bitter legal battle with Apple after filing legal claims and an antitrust complaint against the company in the United States, Australia and the European Union.

    Epic Games stated that it is not seeking monetary damages but wants to help regulators come up with fixes to prevent market distortion and manipulation.