BRUSSELS: Apple on has found itself the target of a ￡785mil (US$1bil or RM4.6bil)) class action lawsuit brought by more than 1,500 app developers in the United Kingdom over its App Store fees.

       Apple’s services business, which includes the App Store, has seen revenues grow at a rapid pace and now hovers around US$20bil (RM91.3bil) per quarter.

       However, the commissions of 15% to 30% that the company charges some app makers for use of an in-app payment system has been criticised by app developers and targeted by antitrust regulators in several countries.

       Apple has previously said that 85% of developers on the App Store do not pay any commission and that it helps European developers to access markets and customers in 175 countries around the world through the App Store.

       The UK lawsuit at the Competition Appeal Tribunal is being brought by Sean Ennis, a professor at the Centre for Competition Policy at the University of East Anglia and a former economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, on behalf of 1,566 app developers. He is being advised by law firm Geradin Partners.

       “Apple’s charges to app developers are excessive and only possible due to its monopoly on the distribution of apps onto iPhones and iPads,” Ennis said.

       “The charges are unfair in their own right and constitute abusive pricing. They harm app developers and also app buyers.” — Reuters

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