iTnews

Epic Games takes on Google in Australia

By Kate Weber on Mar 10, 2021 7:27PM
Epic Games takes on Google in Australia

Following its battle with Apple last year.

Epic Games is suing Google in the Federal Court of Australia over what it claims are anti-competitive behaviours around the way apps are sold via the Play Store.

The games developer alleges Google contravened Australian consumer and competition laws by not allowing Android users to download apps outside of the Play Store.

In the Play Store, developers are charged a 30 percent commission to use Google's payment services to sell in-app content.

Epic Games branded the commission level a "supra-competitive price" in its statement of claim [pdf]. 

The lawsuit follows similar action against Apple last year, after Apple removed Epic Games' most popular offering “Fortnite” from its store in August.

“Fortnite”, which has over 350 million global users, was removed after Apple claimed Epic Games violated the company's in-app payment guidelines.

Google also removed the game from the Google Play store around the same time following Epic Games addition of a direct payment processing option for “Fortnite” players on Android devices.

Epic Games stated in its latest lawsuit this enabled Android users to save 20 percent on the price of in-app content "compared to the price charged if the consumer selected Google Play billing as the payment processor."

The developer alleged Google’s actions were "harmful", hindered innovation, "reduced consumer choice and inflated prices."

Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating Apple for operating an alleged app store stronghold.

The European Commission has also begun an enquiry into Apple’s commission fee.

Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Copyright © iTnews.com.au . All rights reserved.
Tags:
app storeappleepic gamesfinancefortnitegooglegoogle playsoftwaresue

Partner Content

Vast majority of surveyed firms still rely on password authentication
Promoted Content Vast majority of surveyed firms still rely on password authentication
Tick off the ransomware bandits
Promoted Content Tick off the ransomware bandits
Teaching tech teams every step of implementing a machine learning project
Promoted Content Teaching tech teams every step of implementing a machine learning project
Security "mindset shift" needed to protect organisations
Promoted Content Security "mindset shift" needed to protect organisations

Sponsored Whitepapers

Planning before the breach: You can’t protect what you can’t see
Planning before the breach: You can’t protect what you can’t see
Beyond FTP: Securing and Managing File Transfers
Beyond FTP: Securing and Managing File Transfers
NextGen Security Operations: A Roadmap for the Future
NextGen Security Operations: A Roadmap for the Future
Video: Watch Juniper talk about its Aston Martin partnership
Video: Watch Juniper talk about its Aston Martin partnership
Don’t pay the ransom: A three-step guide to ransomware protection
Don’t pay the ransom: A three-step guide to ransomware protection

Events

  • iTnews Benchmark Awards 2022 - Finalist Showcase
  • 11th Annual Fraud Prevention Summit 2022
  • IoT Impact Conference
  • Cyber Security for Government Summit
By Kate Weber
Mar 10 2021
7:27PM
0 Comments

Related Articles

  • Epic Games wins appeal against Apple
  • Google 'refutes' claims made by Epic Games
  • Apple hit with EU antitrust charge over mobile payments technology
  • Apple says 'significant' App Store competition constrains market power
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Whatsapp Email A Friend

Most Read Articles

Kmart Australia stands up consent-as-a-service platform

Kmart Australia stands up consent-as-a-service platform

NSW digital driver's licences 'easily forgeable'

NSW digital driver's licences 'easily forgeable'

Kmart Australia re-platforms ecommerce site to AWS

Kmart Australia re-platforms ecommerce site to AWS

Westpac promotes its head of technology to mortgage role

Westpac promotes its head of technology to mortgage role

Digital Nation

As NFTs gain traction, businesses start taking early bets
As NFTs gain traction, businesses start taking early bets
Case Study: PlayHQ leverages graph technologies for sports administration
Case Study: PlayHQ leverages graph technologies for sports administration
The other ‘CTO’: The emerging role of the chief transformation officer
The other ‘CTO’: The emerging role of the chief transformation officer
Metaverse hype will transition into new business models by mid decade: Gartner
Metaverse hype will transition into new business models by mid decade: Gartner
COVER STORY: From cost control to customer fanatics, AI is transforming the contact centre
COVER STORY: From cost control to customer fanatics, AI is transforming the contact centre
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorisation.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of nextmedia's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.