Apple and Google Push Back Against Epic's Legal Battles with Settlement Talks and App Store Reforms
Apple and Google negotiate with Epic Games over app store fees and access, proposing lower commissions and requiring third‑party store visibility.Summary
Apple has asked a federal court in California to order supervised mediation between Apple and Epic after stalled negotiations. The company proposed a new fee structure that would lower the standard commission from 15% to 10% for apps in its Video Partner, News Partner, and Mini Apps programs, and to 5% for a small business line of apps. Epic opposes the proposal, warning it will mobilize expert testimony and contest the fees within sixty days.
Google faces a separate court order to make competing app stores discoverable and installable directly through Google Play in the United States. Epic's attorneys demonstrated that Google still requires extra steps, promotional banners, and view‑button clicks before offering third‑party store options, even for generic searches or brand names like Aptoide. Judge James Donato set an aggressive one‑week deadline for compliance, prompting Google to plan multiple modifications to its Play Store to allow rival stores to be distributed directly.
Both cases highlight a growing trend of regulators and courts pushing for greater competition and transparency in the digital marketplace, with ongoing tribunal proceedings and settlements expected to reshape how Apple and Google manage their app ecosystems and compensate developers.
(Source：Headtopics)