Australian Court Rules Apple, Google Engaged Anticompetitive Conduct Favoring Epic Games

Epic Games has achieved a significant partial legal victory in Australia against Apple and Google, with the federal court ruling that both companies engaged in anti-competitive conduct by misusing their market power in their app store operations. The judgment, delivered by Justice Jonathan Beach, found that Apple and Google’s restrictions on app distribution and payment methods substantially lessened competition, though it rejected some of Epic's allegations, including unconscionable conduct. This ruling paves the way for class actions seeking compensation for inflated prices and commissions paid by Australian consumers and developers. Epic has announced that the Epic Games Store and Fortnite will return to iOS in Australia following the decision. While Apple and Google dispute parts of the judgment, particularly regarding their billing practices and competition claims, the ruling may lead to increased competition, innovation, and potentially lower prices in the Australian digital marketplace. The case mirrors Epic’s ongoing legal battles in other countries, reflecting broader challenges to app store policies globally.