Ongoing dispute between Apple and Epic: Court orders new hearing of evidence
Epic has complained about Apple because the ordered approval of external links was only implemented half-heartedly. The court now wants to find out more.
(Bild: Shutterstock.com/rafapress)
Apple and Epic will be back in court in California in May. A US District Court has ordered an evidentiary hearing at the request of the game manufacturer. The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, at 8:30 am. Epic accuses Apple of violating conditions imposed by the court, which ordered the iPhone manufacturer to allow links to external payment options in apps. Apple has only half-heartedly complied with the requirements and competition is still being hindered, Epic complains.
Apple has complied with this request to remove the link ban in principle. However, Apple still insists on paying a commission of between 12 and 27 percent on purchases and subscriptions. Compared to its own commissions for in-app purchases of 15 to 30 percent, only a three percent discount is granted.
Approval with restrictions
In its App Review Guidelines (3.1.3), Apple allows so-called "reader apps" to provide content from previous purchases or subscriptions by bypassing Apple's payment systems. This type of app is also allowed to set an external link, although an entitlement must be requested from Apple for the app to be waved through by Apple's app review. Services that are active on multiple platforms may also deliver previously completed purchases or subscriptions in an iOS app - however, Apple requires that certain content must always be offered in parallel as an in-app purchase via Apple.
Epic explained in a letter to the court that this made it practically impossible for developers to inform users about an alternative platform for a purchase and direct them there. External links were also not allowed to be displayed in the form of a button. Apple's guidelines were a violation of the court's order.
Court now is keen to know more precisely
In its three-page response, the court stated that Epic had sufficiently demonstrated that the changes made by Apple could undermine the intended purpose of the ban. The court now is keen to know more. The two parties are now to submit further evidence. Apple has also been ordered to submit figures that were previously kept protected.
(mki)
