On August 13th, 2020, Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Apple following their decision to remove Epic Games’ Fortnite from the Apple App Store. The lawsuit was filed because of Apple’s anti-competitive and monopolistic behaviour.
To explain their case and to strengthen it, Epic Games sought the testimonies of three key witnesses, CEO Tim Cook, former iOS Software chief Scott Forstall, and marketing chief Phil Schiller.
This article will examine how these three key witnesses could impact the Epic vs Apple case.
Tim Cook, Scott Forstall & Phil Schiller Witnesses in Epic vs Apple Case
The Epic vs Apple lawsuit has been among the most highly publicised video game and antitrust cases. The dispute, concerning the distribution and payment processing services supplied by Apple’s App Store, has major implications for the industry’s future. At its core, Epic is alleging that Apple’s App Store constitutes an illegal monopoly.
The suit has featured prominent witnesses from all sides of the debate. All three major players in this drama — Epic, Apple, and Google — have had key witnesses to assist their cause. From executives better accustomed to running boardrooms than courtrooms to technical experts, three of these four representatives have been central figures in this high-stakes trial.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney – One of top executives at Epic Games and a long-time critic of Apple’s practices. He gave his testimony on July 8 as part of a deposition via video conference. He detailed why he felt that an alternative app store was necessary due to unfair practices imposed by Apple.
Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams – Williams is one of the most senior men at Apple other than its CEO Tim Cook. He took charge on July 28 to defend the company against claims that its store operated as an illegal monopoly with unfair restrictions protecting it from competition.
Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai – Pichai is no stranger to legal fights; he was in several Google antitrust battles before this case started earlier this year. He also defended Alphabet Inc.’s business practices during his two days on the stand in August 2020 as part of Google’s involvement in defending against claims from both Apple and Epic Games concerning allegations that both companies had unlawfully stifled competition within their respective markets through anti-competitive agreements that benefited both sides while actively working to prevent new entrants from gaining any sort of foothold or gaining any market share.
Tim Cook
Tim Cook, the current CEO of Apple, was one of the three key witnesses in the Epic vs Apple case. He took the stand as a key witness to detail the company’s internal workings and to explain Apple’s App Store policies, which were at the heart of the case.
Cook provided insight on the significance of App Store guidelines and how they were intended to level the playing field for competing app developers. He also addressed the issue of anti-competitive behaviour, which was part of the focus of the case.
Background information on Tim Cook
Tim Cook is the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Apple Inc., succeeding Steve Jobs in 2011. Having been hired by Steve Jobs to work at Apple in 1998, Cook is credited with the company’s continued success despite changing market conditions and the departure of founding members. Cook has been seen as an experienced and decisive leader, having steered Apple through several crises such as a weak economy, American antitrust law claims, and shareholder lawsuits. He was also responsible for leading the negotiation between Apple and Epic Games to settle their dispute out of court.
Before his time at Apple, Tim Cook worked for IBM in their computer division for twelve years before taking up a technology chief operations officer role at Intelligent Electronics in Richardson, Texas from 1997 to 1998. Before his management roles at IBM and Intelligent Electronics, he worked as an Operations Director in Compaq’s manufacturing facilities in Houston and Scotland.He also holds a degree from Auburn University where he graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He later earned an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business completing it with high honours in 1989.
Tim Cook’s role in the Epic vs Apple case
Tim Cook, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Apple Inc., has a central role in the Epic vs Apple case – a legal dispute between Apple and Epic Games over digital payment options and control of the App Store. The trial was held in Oakland, California from 3rd May to 28th May 2021.
During this trial, Tim Cook was required to testify about various matters related to Apple’s policies and practices for managing app stores on its iOS platform. Among other things, Cook discussed how Apple sets its commission rates for in-app purchases, how it handles app analysis and updates, why it does not allow third-party app stores such as Epic’s store on its iOS platform, the antitrust implications of Apple’s decisions, and its efforts towards ensuring customer privacy.
Cook’s testimony provided an important perspective into how key decisions are made at Apple. His statement emphasised that while other app stores may have different (lower) commission rates than the App Store, doing so would threaten iOS users’ privacy and security. He maintained that as long as developers are willing to abide by Apple’s guidelines for featured apps with no exceptions or alternative arrangements (such as allowing for third party stores or alternative payment options), then they can benefit from being listed in the App Store due to its sheer scale in terms of daily downloads.
As one of three witnesses testifying on behalf of Apple during this trial (along with corporate counsel Kyle Andeer and product implementation specialist Michael Schmid), Tim Cook’s statement provided important insights into what can be considered when evaluating competing market positions within the mobile industry – including any potential anti-competitive practices or violations of antitrust laws by tech giants like Apple.
Tim Cook’s testimony in the Epic vs Apple case
Apple CEO Tim Cook was the first witness to speak when Epic Games’ lawsuit against Apple went to trial in May 2021. Cook’s testimony highlighted the two key areas of dispute between the tech giants: App Store policies and privacy issues.
Cook testified that Apple had no plans to alter its App Store policies, which require developers using them to pay a 30% fee for certain subscriptions and digital purchases. He also defended Apple’s privacy practices, stating that the firm needed access to certain customer data to continually improve its products and services. In addition, he argued that Apple had modelled its business around protecting user data from third-party companies such as Epic Games.
Cook maintained his confidence throughout his entire testimony, even answering questions about internal emails involving Apple’s App Store pricing practices with calm assurance.
The second witness in the case was Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering responsible for overseeing production of iOS apps and updates and managing customer privacy controls. Federighi described how he saw Epic Games’ use of “direct payments” as an immediate security risk within the App Store due to its lack of oversight, which could lead people becoming victims of fraud or identity theft if not handled properly. In addition, he defended Apple’s 30% commission fee structure, noting that without it most developers may not have enough resources or incentive to produce new games for iOS customers at all.
Finally, Julie Samuels was called to testify against Microsoft and Google’s policy violations policies — two companies whom Epic Games has accused of monopolising their mobile app stores markets in similar ways as apple has done with its system — but he spoke positively about his experience with Apples customer service division giving tailor-made advice on how they are able establish gaming venture on their devices launching platform successfully being fair towards other competitors who join in formate play store environment later on, promoting transparency so customers can make informed decisions before committing buying something based on an advert recommendations on any other platform like google play etc related services.
Scott Forstall
Scott Forstall, the former Senior Vice President of iOS Software at Apple, testified in the Epic vs Apple case on April 8, 2021. He was one of the three key witnesses in the trial, alongside Tim Cook and Phil Schiller. His testimony provides an insight into the inner workings of Apple and how the company handles app store disputes.
Let’s look more into who Forstall is and the details of his testimony.
Background information on Scott Forstall
Scott Forstall is a technology revolutionist best known for his work at Apple Inc. As the former Senior Vice President of iOS Software, Forstall remotely managed the development of Apple’s software products. He also integrated Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and Mac OS X software platforms.
At the dawn of his career in 1993, Forstall was the lead designer of Apple’s System 7 operating system and worked with Steve Jobs at NeXT computer in 1996 after Jobs left Apple Inc. In 1997 he returned to Apple as a Senior Software Engineer and had important roles in developing iMac and Mac OS X operating systems.
In 2000 he was promoted to Vice President of Platform Experience before eventually joining the executive board in 2003 as Senior Vice President of iOS Software Development. From that position, he successfully managed distribution and monetization strategy development until he departed from the company in October 2012 when leadership disputes caused him to leave abruptly.
Today, after spending five years away from technology development, Forstall is steadily making his return with investments in technology startups such as Wordshot AI and music streaming service Auxy Music Inc., amongst others. In addition, he persistently honours Steve Jobs by investing heavily into platforms that inspire innovation in design culture which distinctly mimics Jobs’ influence on the tech industry.
Scott Forstall’s role in the Epic vs Apple case
Scott Forstall, formerly Apple’s Senior Vice President of iOS Software, was one of the key witnesses in the highly contested Epic vs Apple antitrust case. His testimony focused on the 30% fee that Apple charges developers of applications hosted within the App Store and his role in developing and maintaining this system.
Forstall took questions from both lawyers and answered them honestly about his role within the company before and during his tenure as SVP of iOS Software. He explained how he works with other engineers to develop new tools to help app developers that make their content more discoverable within the App Store. He also set down on record details concerning how he is informed whenever a new “feature” is requested by app developers regarding fees or requirements for software sales in the store, ultimately approving or denying them depending on what would benefit their customers most effectively.
He also discussed Apple’s policy towards competition. He clarified that they do not limit opportunities for developers to submit their products, regardless of whether they use “native apps” or HTML 5 frameworks. And finally, Forstall provided some insight into why he believes that an ever-evolving App Store can benefit both users and developers alike: pointing out that Apple has continuously improved its services to keep pace with changing technology.
Scott Forstall’s testimony in the Epic vs Apple case
As one of the three witnesses in the Epic Games Versus Apple antitrust case, Scott Forstall has been an important figure in the proceedings. Forstall served as Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering until October 2012, and was instrumental in launching many of Apple’s renowned mobile products, including iOS, the iPhone and iPad.
During his testimony, Forstall provided several perspectives on various topics such as Apple’s App Store policies and practices, competitors’ apps and services on other platforms, and Epic’s motives for attempting to break out from App Store rules. He also discussed how Apple interactively communicated with developers to identify opportunities for feature improvements or better ways to monetize their apps.
Forstall also stated that he did not know about any attempts by Apple to hinder competition through its App Store rules or practices. In addition, he spoke about how Epic deliberately altered Fortnite’s code to try to bypass revenue sharing with Apple via its Direct Payment service (also known as “Project Liberty”). According to him, these actions were not viable alternatives proposed by Epic Games but instead highly sophisticated gaming strategies put into play by the company to take advantage of supposed loopholes. Finally, he added that many app developers have seen their revenues grow significantly since the launch of iOS app store despite facing steep competition from other platforms due to effective curation processes upheld by the App Store analysis team.
Phil Schiller
Phil Schiller was the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Apple, Inc. He was a key witness in the Epic vs Apple Case, speaking at length about the architecture of the App Store and various App Store policies.
In his testimony, Schiller argued that the App Store provides a safe, secure and trusted channel for developers to build, market and distribute their apps. He also discussed the significance of the App Store’s user privacy and security protections.
Let’s take a closer look at Schiller’s testimony.
Background information on Phil Schiller
Phil Schiller is an American marketing executive and a senior vice president at Apple Inc. who took the stand as an expert witness against Epic Games in the Apple vs Epic case that’s currently ongoing. He has worked at Apple since 1997, but before that he was an award-winning high school teacher and technology entrepreneur.
Before joining Apple, Schiller co-founded a technology company called V2 Software which provided software to businesses. During his tenure at Apple, Schiller has managed several important initiatives for the company, such as product releases, marketing launches, and media events. He has also been a key figure in introducing popular new products like iPhone 5s/5c and iPad Air. In addition, over the years, he’s been featured on numerous television news shows and magazines like Bloomberg BusinessWeek and Wired for his role in developing revolutionary internet services for consumers.
Schiller holds degrees from Harvard College and Boston College’s Carroll School of Management. He is married with two children, who have followed in their father’s footsteps by developing apps independently. Schiller resides in Cupertino with his family but regularly travels to speak at conferences world-wide on behalf of Apple Inc.
Phil Schiller’s role in the Epic vs Apple case
Phil Schiller is one of three key witnesses in the Epic vs Apple case. He is Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, a position he has held since 1997. Schiller has been involved in the development, coordination, and execution of many company initiatives, including marketing for the iPhone and iPod product lines.
As a key witness in Epic v. Apple, Schiller testified about several aspects of the App Store that are critical to understand Epic’s antitrust claims against Apple. First, he described how the App Store works from a user and developer perspective. He also discussed how Apple goes through vetting processes to ensure its apps meet various security standards across various platforms.
Additionally, Schiller explained how revenue shares are determined between developers and Apple for app purchases on the App Store and how Apple goes about enforcing its policies on pricing parity among other app marketplaces like Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore. He also clarified which features within iOS are controlled by Apple and cannot be altered by third-party developers like Epic Games.
Overall, Schiller’s testimony is key evidence in determining whether Epic has succeeded with its antitrust claims against Apple or not as it shows exactly how large entities like these tech companies structure their business practices when dealing with online stores for content distribution such as apps or streaming music/movies services.
Phil Schiller’s testimony in the Epic vs Apple case
Phil Schiller, a longtime executive at Apple Inc., was one of the three key witnesses testifying in Epic Games Inc.’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple. He’s also the company’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing and is considered a close confidante of CEO Tim Cook.
In his testimony, Schiller expressed confidence in Apple’s App Store policies, arguing that it provided the optimal experience for customers and developers alike. Schiller stressed how the App Store strived to ensure customer privacy, security and quality control by introducing fees on paid apps and in-app purchases to developers. He said these fees gave developers the resources they needed to make their products safe, reliable and engaging experiences customers wanted to use while also assuring them that they wouldn’t be sold dangerous or malicious products.
Schiller also highlighted how under App Store rules, developers like Epic could make more money off their games through subscriptions than with ad-based models used by other companies like Google — though he maintained these were not typically preferred models for mobile gaming because customers generally had less control over when ads appear on screen than when they pay an upfront fee for a game or purchase items within it. Finally, he countered Epic’s argument by saying that iOS was very different from other platforms where software availability was not controlled as strictly — stressing that this wasn’t necessarily an issue since there were still plenty of avenues for developers outside the App Store on iOS to charge users directly if desired.
