5 ms·

I think Apple's argument would be it's industry standard. Steam, Apple, Google all do this. Even the Epic store takes a cut, although much lower, but that's a

I think Apple's argument would be it's industry standard. Steam, Apple, Google all do this. Even the Epic store takes a cut, although much lower, but that's a case in Apple's favor (market competition).

ocdtrekkie 6y ago
Apple has, in fact, used that argument. However, it also defeated that argument in the hearing: It set the "standard" to begin with, everyone is following them. The entire point of competition is so that other players can choose to come in at a lower price, which is good for consumers. And if Apple prevents Epic from selling direct with a much lower processing fee (note the 20% price cut is similar to the 30%/12% difference between their store fees), Apple is directly preventing competition that would lower prices for consumers.
- jaegerpicker 6y ago
  How in the world is Apple preventing Epic from doing anything besides not following the rules of the App Store? If Epic wants to sell at a lower price they are free to do so in their own app store. Apple does not have to allow anyone on their platform. They built it, they own it, and they have the right to set it's rules. If Apple was the only mobile phone OS available then sure there is a case but iOS isn't even the most popular OS.
  - ocdtrekkie 6y ago
    Actually, Apple doesn't have the right to set it's rules and decide who can and can't be on their platform. Monopolies lose that, and Tim Cook was grilled on this exact topic by the House Antitrust Committee just days ago. Which is to say, even if the current laws allow Apple to act here, if it does, the next laws might prohibit it from doing so.
    - jaegerpicker 6y ago
      It's not a monopoly, there is NO definition that fits for Apple being a monopoly. DOn't like Apple buy an Android. Android is more popular and has the same rules. Game Developer? Don't like Apple's rules develop for Android or Switch or PS4 or the Web or PC etc.... Apple sells a platform and it's successful but it's absolutely not the only platform around or even the biggest except in sales. Tim Cook wasn't grilled in good faith, he was grilled for political gain.
      - stale2002 6y ago
        > It's not a monopoly, there is NO definition that fits for Apple being a monopoly. Sure there is. It has a monopoly over apps that consumers install on apple phones. That is a huge market, and one that apple has monopoly control over.

ocdtrekkie 6y ago

Apple has, in fact, used that argument. However, it also defeated that argument in the hearing: It set the "standard" to begin with, everyone is following them. The entire point of competition is so that other players can choose to come in at a lower price, which is good for consumers. And if Apple prevents Epic from selling direct with a much lower processing fee (note the 20% price cut is similar to the 30%/12% difference between their store fees), Apple is directly preventing competition that would lower prices for consumers.

jaegerpicker 6y ago
How in the world is Apple preventing Epic from doing anything besides not following the rules of the App Store? If Epic wants to sell at a lower price they are free to do so in their own app store. Apple does not have to allow anyone on their platform. They built it, they own it, and they have the right to set it's rules. If Apple was the only mobile phone OS available then sure there is a case but iOS isn't even the most popular OS.
- ocdtrekkie 6y ago
  Actually, Apple doesn't have the right to set it's rules and decide who can and can't be on their platform. Monopolies lose that, and Tim Cook was grilled on this exact topic by the House Antitrust Committee just days ago. Which is to say, even if the current laws allow Apple to act here, if it does, the next laws might prohibit it from doing so.
  - jaegerpicker 6y ago
    It's not a monopoly, there is NO definition that fits for Apple being a monopoly. DOn't like Apple buy an Android. Android is more popular and has the same rules. Game Developer? Don't like Apple's rules develop for Android or Switch or PS4 or the Web or PC etc.... Apple sells a platform and it's successful but it's absolutely not the only platform around or even the biggest except in sales. Tim Cook wasn't grilled in good faith, he was grilled for political gain.
    - stale2002 6y ago
      > It's not a monopoly, there is NO definition that fits for Apple being a monopoly. Sure there is. It has a monopoly over apps that consumers install on apple phones. That is a huge market, and one that apple has monopoly control over.