Epic Games sues Google over changes to Bandcamp payment system on Android

[Celerity]

Having accepted PayPal integration since 2015, the tech giant will now require Bandcamp to exclusively use Google Play Billing, which could spell the end of in-app purchases.

https://ra.co/news/77196



Bandcamp's parent company, Epic Games, is suing Google after the tech giant proposed a major change to its payment system on Android. Due to come into effect on June 1st, the policy update will require Bandcamp and other apps to exclusively use Google Pay Billing, and pay Google a revenue share of sales. Since 2015, Bandcamp has used PayPal integration on its Android app.

In a blog post, Bandcamp cofounder Ethan Diamond said that, if the changes stand, Bandcamp will either have to "pass Google's fees on to consumers (making Android a less attractive platform for music fans), pass fees on to artists (which we would never do), permanently run our Android business at a loss, or turn off digital sales in the Android app." He added: "Furthermore, the policy changes would impact our ability to pay artists quickly—instead of receiving payment after 24 to 48 hours, artists may not be paid until 15 to 45 days after a sale."

In a bid to stop Google, Epic Games filed a preliminary injunction at a court in San Francisco yesterday, April 28th. The filing claims, among other things, that the new policy violates California's Unfair Competition Law and that Epic Games "is likely to suffer irreparable harm" as a result.

Bandcamp currently only offers in-app purchases via Android. Though the app is also available on iOS, Bandcamp says its business model isn't compatible with Apple's IAP payment system, which imposes a 30 percent fee on transactions. According to Diamond, Bandcamp pays artists and labels 82 percent of sales on average—vastly higher than streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. The case is due to go before court on Thursday, June 2nd. For more on the case, read Epic Games' filing and Diamond's declaration in full.

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[PoliticAverse]

1. And one-time at bandcamp... n/t

[Celerity]

2. it is not just limited to Bandcamp nt

[miyazaki]

3. Ya interesting things happen at bandcamp