Apple CEO Tim Cook is scheduled to take the stand in the Apple vs. Epic Games trial today, bringing an end to the three-week-long legal back-and-forth between the two companies. The fate of the iOS App Store hangs in the balance, but no pressure, Mr. Cook.
As reported by CNET, Cook will be defending the company’s policies demanding all apps meet guidelines from the company before they’re allowed to be made available to the public. Epic is pushing for that to change, saying it should be allowed to run its own app store for the iPhone, with its own payment technologies separate from Apple’s.
Cook is expected to speak about the Cupertino firm’s corporate values, development and launch of the App Store, and industry competition. He is also expected to discuss the economic potential an Apple-maintained store presents to developers.
Epic has argued that Apple runs iOS and the App Store with an iron fist, maintaining its monopoly by not allowing third-party app stores and collecting a 30% commission on in-app purchases. Apple says that is not true and has attempted to illustrate that its policies have created a safe and innovative platform for customers and wealth for developers.
Cook is said to have been preparing for his testimony by practicing with former prosecutors before taking the stand.
The court’s schedule currently devotes 100 minutes to Cook’s testimony. Prior to the proceedings, Cook sat for a seven-hour deposition.
(Via AppleInsider)
