Chinese developers file antitrust complaint against Apple over App Store removal policies,...

Comments

• Reply 1 of 26

  charlesatlas Posts: 398member

  August 10, 2017 1:59PM

  Seeing as how Apple doesn't have dominant market share for smartphones in China, it can't be called a monopoly. Case dismissed.

  
• Reply 2 of 26

  rob bonner Posts: 237member

  August 10, 2017 2:16PM

  As a developer that has witnessed the appeal process on a few apps that were edgy I can say that the appeals process can be a black hole.  When they say no very little actual information on the decision or way to find out is provided.
• Reply 3 of 26

  holyone Posts: 398member

  August 10, 2017 2:24PM

  Awh, are people still on this ? If you don't like the landlord's rules move, the Chinies people need to deal with theire government, every free and democratic nation got that freedom by fighting for it, they can't expect foreign business entities to do it for them, every freedom and privilege enjoyed anywhere was paid for with blood, this is why its treasured so. Lets hope that the "Asian spring" is coming in the not too distant future

  
• Reply 4 of 26

  blastdoor Posts: 3,276member

  August 10, 2017 2:32PM

  charlesatlas said:

  Seeing as how Apple doesn't have dominant market share for smartphones in China, it can't be called a monopoly. Case dismissed.

  From a substantive / common-sense perspective I entirely agree. 
  
  In many countries, though, the laws are not always perfectly aligned with common sense. I'm not sure how well aligned China's antitrust laws are with common sense. 

  
• Reply 5 of 26

  avon b7 Posts: 7,664member

  August 10, 2017 2:36PM

  holyone said:

  Awh, are people still on this ? If you don't like the landlord's rules move, the Chinies people need to deal with theire government, every free and democratic nation got that freedom by fighting for it, they can't expect foreign business entities to do it for them, every freedom and privilege enjoyed anywhere was paid for with blood, this is why its treasured so. Lets hope that the "Asian spring" is coming in the not too distant future

  It isn't as easy or clearcut as you make it seem. If you consider the landlord's rules to be illegal in some way, what should you do? Just move out and let things stand?
• Reply 6 of 26

  macxpress Posts: 5,808member

  August 10, 2017 2:55PM

  China is just a huge pain in the ass...if its not one thing its another with them. 

  
• Reply 7 of 26

  zomp Posts: 62member

  August 10, 2017 3:42PM

  Listen Developers - without Apple's App store, you would have never been notice. I recall the good old days when Best Buy only sold titles they wanted you to buy and they made a cut as well. Apple has always said to set up your own website to collect fees, so do it. If you want apple to make it easy for you, then you must pay. Besides, you aren't really paying, you can set the price to whatever the market will bear in order to cover your overhead. There is a difference between wholesaling and Retailing, you are a wholesaler and if you want to be both, go develop your own platform and operate your own store. Suck it up.

  
• Reply 8 of 26

  zomp Posts: 62member

  August 10, 2017 3:44PM

  Maybe apple should say give to the developers "give a wholesale price" and then Apple Marks up the product - the problem then is that developers will complain that apple is marking up their product higher than the competitors because of a relationship. Apple's fee keeps everyone honest with no favoritism.

  edited August 2017
• Reply 9 of 26

  freerange Posts: 1,597member

  August 10, 2017 3:47PM

  Great, now scumbag western law firm ambulance chasing / class action techniques are being being imported into China. And in this case, going after Apple for doing exactly what the Chinese government does, removing and banning things without notice or explanation. Comical!
  
  Further, this looks like a big fat nothing burger. Trying to find out anything about these legal hacks online and virtually nothing comes up in English - they are obviously a small outfit. They have a Facebook listing with no info other than the fact that they are located in Beijing, and no website comes up, or other articles about them. Yawn! I did find their website but it's written only in Chinese. Any substantial Chinese law firm will have an English language version/link for their site, and their site isn't even optimized for mobile, which is laughable in the Chinese market.

  edited August 2017
• Reply 10 of 26

  zoetmb Posts: 2,654member

  August 10, 2017 4:04PM

  macxpress said:

  China is just a huge pain in the ass...if its not one thing its another with them. 

  Vague generality that means nothing.   The same could be said of any country since every country has non-sensical and/or inconsistent or conflicting laws and policies.  
  
  And the U.S. is by far, the most litigious country in the world.  We read about idiotic lawsuits constantly.  

  
• Reply 11 of 26

  zoetmb Posts: 2,654member

  August 10, 2017 4:08PM

  
  

  zomp said:

  Maybe apple should say give to the developers "give a wholesale price" and then Apple Marks up the product - the problem then is that developers will complain that apple is marking up their product higher than the competitors because of a relationship. Apple's fee keeps everyone honest with no favoritism.

  By taking 30%, that is in essence what Apple is doing.   What's the difference if a developer gives a wholesale price and Apple marks it up x% or if the developer establishes a retail price, as they do now, and Apple takes 30% (aside from the slight math differences:  Taking 30% of $100 is $30, leaving $70, but marking up $70 30% is $91).   
  
  Everyone wants a free ride.   How well would these developers do if there was no App Store?   

  
• Reply 12 of 26

  holyone Posts: 398member

  August 10, 2017 4:13PM

  avon b7 said:

  holyone said:

  Awh, are people still on this ? If you don't like the landlord's rules move, the Chinies people need to deal with theire government, every free and democratic nation got that freedom by fighting for it, they can't expect foreign business entities to do it for them, every freedom and privilege enjoyed anywhere was paid for with blood, this is why its treasured so. Lets hope that the "Asian spring" is coming in the not too distant future

  It isn't as easy or clearcut as you make it seem. If you consider the landlord's rules to be illegal in some way, what should you do? Just move out and let things stand?

  But it is though, it is the landlord's house after all, that he built with his own hands, if he says no loud music after nine, that Goddamn it no fucking loud gangster rap after nine end of story, you can't just say "but the neighbors allow music till twelve" screw that, go live there then. If Apple was doing something even vaguely resembling lawbreaking the Chinese government would be the one going after Cupetino, what this is is disgruntled citizens fighting a dictatorship indirectly through a tech company. I mean Apple cant fight the Chinese ruling party, Apple ins't Chinese, and that be the quickest way to get the iPhone banned in China, then what ? 
  
  Compered to the oppressive regime they live under App Store regulation should seem like heaven, and let's not foget Apple ain't the only game in town, there's plenty of hot competition, if a developer is so unhappy then how bout he invents his own revolutionary tec and a store then implement whatever rules he wants. I understand that fairness is important and commendable but it isn't owed to anyone, not in this situation.
  
  My suspicion is that China wants to be the next North Korea with their money and expertise they figure they can do it better, then, who ever rules can rule forever

  
• Reply 13 of 26

  tzeshan Posts: 2,351member

  August 10, 2017 4:57PM

  macxpress said:

  China is just a huge pain in the ass...if its not one thing its another with them. 

  This is typical of western selfishness thinking.  Apple profited from China hundred times more than from India. Did you criticize India when India demanded Apple to do this and that? You are a loser!

  
• Reply 14 of 26

  tzeshan Posts: 2,351member

  August 10, 2017 5:02PM

  holyone said:

  Awh, are people still on this ? If you don't like the landlord's rules move, the Chinies people need to deal with theire government, every free and democratic nation got that freedom by fighting for it, they can't expect foreign business entities to do it for them, every freedom and privilege enjoyed anywhere was paid for with blood, this is why its treasured so. Lets hope that the "Asian spring" is coming in the not too distant future

  This is truly stupid reasoning.  The problem is from Chinese developers not from Chinese government.  Why do you place the blame on the government. Apple has been doing this to all developers around the world very few has filed suit. 

  
• Reply 15 of 26

  nht Posts: 4,522member

  August 10, 2017 5:36PM

  tzeshan said:

  holyone said:

  Awh, are people still on this ? If you don't like the landlord's rules move, the Chinies people need to deal with theire government, every free and democratic nation got that freedom by fighting for it, they can't expect foreign business entities to do it for them, every freedom and privilege enjoyed anywhere was paid for with blood, this is why its treasured so. Lets hope that the "Asian spring" is coming in the not too distant future

  This is truly stupid reasoning.  The problem is from Chinese developers not from Chinese government.  Why do you place the blame on the government. Apple has been doing this to all developers around the world very few has filed suit. 

  You act as if Chinese developers would dare do this without tacit government approval.

  
• Reply 16 of 26

  seanismorris Posts: 1,624member

  August 10, 2017 5:59PM

  So sad... they can't get their malware approved.

  
• Reply 17 of 26

  avon b7 Posts: 7,664member

  August 10, 2017 6:21PM

  holyone said:

  avon b7 said:

  holyone said:

  Awh, are people still on this ? If you don't like the landlord's rules move, the Chinies people need to deal with theire government, every free and democratic nation got that freedom by fighting for it, they can't expect foreign business entities to do it for them, every freedom and privilege enjoyed anywhere was paid for with blood, this is why its treasured so. Lets hope that the "Asian spring" is coming in the not too distant future

  It isn't as easy or clearcut as you make it seem. If you consider the landlord's rules to be illegal in some way, what should you do? Just move out and let things stand?

  But it is though, it is the landlord's house after all, that he built with his own hands, if he says no loud music after nine, that Goddamn it no fucking loud gangster rap after nine end of story, you can't just say "but the neighbors allow music till twelve" screw that, go live there then. If Apple was doing something even vaguely resembling lawbreaking the Chinese government would be the one going after Cupetino, what this is is disgruntled citizens fighting a dictatorship indirectly through a tech company. I mean Apple cant fight the Chinese ruling party, Apple ins't Chinese, and that be the quickest way to get the iPhone banned in China, then what ? 
  
  Compered to the oppressive regime they live under App Store regulation should seem like heaven, and let's not foget Apple ain't the only game in town, there's plenty of hot competition, if a developer is so unhappy then how bout he invents his own revolutionary tec and a store then implement whatever rules he wants. I understand that fairness is important and commendable but it isn't owed to anyone, not in this situation.
  
  My suspicion is that China wants to be the next North Korea with their money and expertise they figure they can do it better, then, who ever rules can rule forever

  The moment you decide to rent your property you subject yourself to be legally bound by local rental legislation. That legislation covers both the landlord's responsibilities and obligations as well as those of the tenant(s). It is not a dictatorship where you can do exactly as you please and expect the tenant to swallow.
  
  Within that framework however,  the landlord can set all the rules that are needed - as long as they fall within the legislation in force. The moment the landlord steps out of that framework he becomes open to complaint and someone else will decide what is legal or not.
  
  At this point in time, a complaint has been lodged and it will be evaluated. There might even be a hearing and ruling but we cannot say outright that Apple can do as it sees fit just because it is their store. That will depend on local legislation which I know nothing about. Time will tell, and we cannot assume that the Chinese government would have taken action on its own accord. Sometimes it happens but more often than not, a formal complaint is the detonator of these kinds of cases. It seems that is what we have here.

  
• Reply 18 of 26

  holyone Posts: 398member

  August 10, 2017 6:24PM

  tzeshan said:

  holyone said:

  Awh, are people still on this ? If you don't like the landlord's rules move, the Chinies people need to deal with theire government, every free and democratic nation got that freedom by fighting for it, they can't expect foreign business entities to do it for them, every freedom and privilege enjoyed anywhere was paid for with blood, this is why its treasured so. Lets hope that the "Asian spring" is coming in the not too distant future

  This is truly stupid reasoning.  The problem is from Chinese developers not from Chinese government.  Why do you place the blame on the government. Apple has been doing this to all developers around the world very few has filed suit. 

  You've missed the subtle point to a fact, which I was implying, the Chinese gov is to blame, they told Apple and many other tech firms to remove certain apps from their stores that allow just a little too much liberty for Chinese citizens threatening their ion grip on their people and the hegemonic regime operating in that country and instead of confronting their government that force some of these actions on Apple they take their frustrations out on a company that is required to follow the law in all regions where it does business, expecting Apple to fight their battles for them is well, ridiculous. Apple didn't just wake up one day and went " hey what could I do to fuck with the developers that help me sell millions of iPhones every year coz you know, I'm a sadistic fuck, oh wait, I know"

  
• Reply 19 of 26

  baconstang Posts: 1,105member

  August 10, 2017 7:42PM

  How precious.   The developers think they live in a democracy or something. 

  
• Reply 20 of 26

  RacerhomieX Posts: 95unconfirmed, member

  August 10, 2017 7:56PM

  The Chinese Market seems to be Getting ,more dangerous ,by the Day. I hope, Apple can resolve this ,peacefully without getting something else removed