Apple also makes it difficult for developers to direct customers outside of the App Store. And doesn’t like anyone to collect payment without their fees. Why shouldn’t it, said Cook. If Apple helped facilitate a move it “would be akin to Apple going down to Best Buy and advertising that you can go across the street to the Apple store and get an iPhone.”
Growing Epic battle against Apple
The Epic lawsuit claims Apple is engaging in monopolistic practices. Apple claims the app was violating its terms and conditions.
Epic, is gathering worldwide support from other companies and developers. A group of media and technology companies including Facebook, Base Camp, Epic Games, Spotify, News Media Europe, ProtonMail, and many others formed an independent nonprofit organization. The Coalition for App Fairness claims they are fighting for fairness and to promote competition across the app ecosystem.
The Coalition says the terms and conditions governing the Apple App Store are abusive, arbitrary, and onerous.
The App Store Trap
“Developers found themselves caught in a trap of Apple’s making. They had accepted Apple’s assurances that it would not make a profit on the App Store and once they committed themselves to work in the ecosystem they found non-negotiable termination provisions … a ‘take it or leave it’ infrastructure,” said Epic attorney Katherine Forrest, back when the trial kicked off May 3.
