Korean Publishers File Lawsuit Against Apple in America Over 'Illegal, Monopolistic' Control Of App Distribution & High Payment Commissions, Google Lawsuit to Soon Follow - Anime Corner
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Multiple groups comprising Korean webtoon and web novel publishers sue Apple in the U.S., alleging its "illegal, monopolistic control" of app distribution.

The Korean Publishers Association (KPA) and the Korea Electronic Publishing Association, both comprising multiple webtoon and web novel companies, as well as iOS app developer Dan Scalise and Korean app developer PangSky (collectively, the plaintiffs, or KPA et. al), filed a class-action lawsuit against tech giant Apple on May 23, alleging past and ongoing anticompetitive behavior. It was filed at the U.S. Northern District Court of California.

They seek damages due to the revenue lost from Apple’s “anticompetitive conduct,” which mandated that most digital purchases related to an iOS app must use its payment system, of which Apple took a 30% cut. iOS app developers weren’t allowed to suggest their own payment services within the app, and weren’t allowed to link out from the app to external payment options. The 30% fee also applies to purchases on the App Store. App distribution via third-party app stores, which could’ve provided lower fees, isn’t permitted on iOS (except in the E.U.).