E-Sports: Epic v. Apple

By Emre Bilginoglu, Attorney-at-Law, Istanbul, Turkey

Epic Games (for more information on its activities and its aims and objectives, log onto: https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/epic-games-store-faq) continue their legal battle with Apple and Google, which began last summer.

Epic Games’ main argument is that the 30% commission charged by both companies for using their app stores is anti-competitive.

Epic Games have expanded the battle on various fronts, including the EU, the UK and Australia. A complaint has been filed at the EU Competition Directorate (the EU Anti-Trust Body) for Apple’s allegedly anti-competitive action.  

The outcome of these lawsuits and complaints has already resulted in some positive impact for the developers and consumers.

Apple has announced its business program for developers with a reduced price of 15% commission.  

Whilst, meanwhile, Epic Games have their own digital video game store that works with the developers for a revenue cut of 12%, unlike Steam which currently has a 30% revenue cut.

Epic Games are competing for a bigger share of the gaming market, giving away free games each week on its store.

Competition, in a business/legal sense, is always beneficial for consumers and lawyers.

There is so much, therefore, to play for in an ever-expanding and lucrative video games’ market, particularly as the COVID-19 world-wide Pandemic has demonstrated!

Emre Bilginoglu, who is also admitted to practise Law in the State of New York, USA, may be contacted by e-mail at ‘This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.’