In a highly anticipated trial set to kick off on May 3, Apple is facing off against Epic Games in a battle that has the potential to reshape the mobile app payment landscape. The two companies have been at odds since August last year when Fortnite maker Epic was removed from the App Store after introducing an in-game payment system designed to bypass Apple’s fees.
A Look at the Proposed Witness List
The proposed witness list filed by Apple includes a veritable who’s who of executives from both companies. For Apple, the list includes:
- Tim Cook: CEO of Apple
- Craig Federighi: Software Engineering SVP
- Phil Schiller: Apple Fellow
On team Epic, the list includes:
- Tim Sweeney: Founder of Epic Games
- Mark Rein: VP at Epic Games
In addition to these executives from both companies, the witness list also includes individuals from Microsoft, Facebook, and Nvidia.
A Statement from Apple
In a statement provided to TechCrunch, Apple notes:
Our senior executives look forward to sharing with the court the very positive impact the App Store has had on innovation, economies across the world, and the customer experience over the last 12 years. We feel confident that the case will prove that Epic purposefully breached its agreement solely to increase its revenues, which is what resulted in their removal from the App Store. By doing that, Epic circumvented the security features of the App Store in a way that would lead to reduced competition and put consumers’ privacy and data security at tremendous risk.
Epic’s Perspective
Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney has likened the fight against Apple to a struggle for civil rights. In an interview with TechCrunch, Sweeney stated:
We’re fighting for the freedom of developers to create apps that can reach their users without being strangled by restrictive contracts and onerous fees.
The Trial: What’s at Stake
The trial is set to kick off on May 3, and both sides are preparing for what promises to be a lengthy and contentious battle. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the mobile app payment landscape, with the potential to reshape the way developers create and distribute their apps.
What’s Next?
As the trial approaches, it will be interesting to see how the case unfolds and what ultimately comes of it. One thing is certain: this battle has the potential to be a watershed moment in the mobile app payment landscape.
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