Microsoft Files Legal Motion Against Apple in Epic Games Case

In a new legal filing in Epic v. Apple, Microsoft revealed why it hasn’t yet released its mobile game store on the iPhone. You won’t be surprised to discover that it’s because Apple is terrible and continues to flout EU and U.S. antitrust laws and legal rulings.

“The district court’s injunction allows Apple to maintain its in-app exclusivity but at least should have enabled Microsoft to offer consumers a workable solution by launching its own online store—accessible via link-out–for in-app items to be purchased off-app and used in games or other apps,” the Microsoft filing in support of Epic Games explains. “And that is what Microsoft wants to do. But even this solution has been stymied by Apple. Prior to the district court’s most recent order, Microsoft had been unable to implement linked-out payments (or even inform customers that alternative purchase methods exist) because of Apple’s new anti-steering policies that restrict Microsoft’s communication to users and impose an even higher economic cost to Microsoft than before the injunction.”

Microsoft is asking U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to force Apple to meet the legal obligations of her ruling in Epic v. Apple.

“Microsoft has long sought to enable Xbox app users on iOS to both buy and stream games in the app from the cloud or their other devices,” the filing notes. “Apple’s policies have restricted Microsoft’s ability to offer these functionalities together; the injunction allows Microsoft to explore this possibility.”

That said, Microsoft is also concerned that this wonderful changes could be rolled back in Apple should somehow obtain a temporary stay or, God help us all, win on appeal. “Microsoft’s own experience managing app stores confirms that Apple’s policies could be restored if Apple ultimately prevails on appeal,” the filing says.

For now, the Xbox app on iPhone (and iPad) lets you purchase games and in-game content, a feature Microsoft added recently, but Apple has blocked the remote play functionality. And then there’s Android, where an even bigger victory in Epic v. Google opened up similar possibilities on Android. But that’s never happened either, and it’s not clear why. Perhaps Microsoft is looking to offer the same experience on both platforms.