Category: Competition Enforcement
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Apple capitulates to EU Commission, Epic Games Store will come to iOS—this is the end of the beginning
Apple has given up and now allows Epic Games to create an iOS version of the Epic Games Store in the EU under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act. The European Commission has scored its first major DMA victory within only two days of the compliance deadline. Other issues remain, however.
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Steve Jobs turning in his grave as EU tells Apple: we won’t let you silence critics like Epic Games—PR Waterloo, $30B risk
An X (forermely known as Twitter) post by EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton makes it likely that Apple will now have to fold and let Epic Games run an iOS app store in the EU.
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On DMA Day, thanks to EVP Vestager for prioritizing app stores and to Apple for fixing a small-business issue
On today’s DMA Day, a key compliance deadline, games fray does not see effective competition in app stores (apart from niche markets) on the horizon but there is mid-term hope. And Apple deserves credit for fixing an issue.
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App Store critics like Spotify and Epic got mixed results in middle game—but what’s their end game against Apple?
Like a chess game, breaking Apple’s app monopoly consists of opening, middle game and end game, Apple always planned for the whole distance. What about its rivals?
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Why the EU’s Digital Markets Act fails in the App Store context: network effects handily beat non-qualified FRAND
Whether the European Commission and/or private parties try to enforce the Digital Markets Act’s FRAND requirement, Apple is overwhelmingly likely to defend its commercial terms, either entirely or for the largest part. The DMA is too weak.
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EU Commission confirms Apple web apps inquiry but EU users won’t get home-screen web apps back before 2030s if ever
The European Commission has confirmed reports that it sent out questionnaires to market participants regarding Apple’s decision to disable progressive web apps in the EU. This article analyzes Apple’s likely defense strategy.
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TikTok loss in EU court case benefits Apple’s resistance to Digital Markets Act as EU Commission risks BILLIONS
Bytedance failed to win a court order that would have suspended the EU Commission’s designation of TikTok as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act. But the court’s reasoning shows certain limits of DMA enforcement.
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Microsoft to appeals court: Activision Blizzard was planning significant job cuts even as independent company
Context: Yesterday (February 7, 2024), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a letter with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, arguing that a recent announcement of 1,900 job cuts at Activision Blizzard strengthened its case for an injunction. The FTC said that it would become difficult to spin off ABK in…
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Apple’s FRAND-centric litigation strategy against the EU’s DMA protects its monopoly rents for years
Based on further analysis, games fray is now in a position to explain Apple’s litigation strategy with a view to foreseeable DMA enforcement efforts by the European Commission and/or private parties. To enable effective competition, it will be inevitable to determine so-called FRAND rates.
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FTC wants to limit Microsoft’s time to ask Sony questions to 1.5 hours (not 3.5), same with Ubisoft, but wants 4 hours (not 3.5) for itself
The FTC notes that Microsoft’s motion to reopen discovery