35 States & DOJ Weigh In to Back ‘Fortnite’ Maker In Apple Case

Apple is stifling competition with its monopoly on app distribution through the App Store, attorneys general for 35 states told a California appeals court on Thursday, January 27.

The joint statement was submitted into the appeals process that is ongoing following the judge’s decision in the Epic v. Apple lawsuit, with the attorneys general siding with the “Fortnite” video game maker on the issue, reported Reuters.

“Apple’s conduct has harmed and is harming mobile app-developers and millions of citizens,” the states stated.

“Meanwhile, Apple continues to monopolize app distribution and in-app payment solutions for iPhones, stifle competition, and amass supracompetitive profits within the almost trillion-dollar-a-year smartphone industry.”

The action comes after a US district judge in Oakland, California, mostly ruled against Epic last year.

That decision found that commissions of 15% to 30% which Apple charges some app makers for use of an in-app payment system the company forced on them did not violate antitrust law.

Epic challenged the ruling in the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. On Thursday, professors, activist groups, and the states weighed in through court filings that described legal arguments in support.

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.