Spotify on Apple's Response to App Store Dispute: 'Every Monopolist Will Suggest They Have Done Nothing Wrong'

Spotify on Wednesday announced it filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with the European Commission over unfair App Store practices. Apple responded two days later, labeling the complaint as "misleading rhetoric" and arguing that "Spotify wants all the benefits of a free app without being free."

apple spotify
The war of words has since continued. In a statement issued to Variety, Spotify said "every monopolist will suggest they have done nothing wrong" and that, consequently, Apple's response was "entirely in line" with its expectations.

Spotify's statement:

Every monopolist will suggest they have done nothing wrong and will argue that they have the best interests of competitors and consumers at heart. In that way, Apple's response to our complaint before the European Commission is not new and is entirely in line with our expectations.

We filed our complaint because Apple's actions hurt competition and consumers, and are in clear violation of the law. This is evident in Apple's belief that Spotify's users on iOS are Apple customers and not Spotify customers, which goes to the very heart of the issue with Apple. We respect the process the European Commission must now undertake to conduct its review.

See Spotify's Time to Play Fair website and Apple's Addressing Spotify's Claims press release for each company's stance.

Tag: Spotify

Top Rated Comments

StellarVixen Avatar
62 months ago
Stop complaining and start paying the artists!
Score: 107 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zimmy68 Avatar
62 months ago
Everything that Apple said is true.
But 30%? Are you kidding me, even 15%?
I would think services like this would expect 1-5%. Apple is greedy, pure and simple.
Score: 91 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ds6778 Avatar
62 months ago
So go find another platform. Why does Spotify whine so much? Do all music streaming services complain as much as Spotify?
Score: 81 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bladerunner2000 Avatar
62 months ago
Reading the comments here sounds like many of you would also defend Microsoft in the 90s.

Embarrassing.
Score: 81 Votes (Like | Disagree)
idbuythatforadollar Avatar
62 months ago
I don’t understand their logic, they’re mad that Apple takes a 15% cut for distributing and promoting their app while they do the same thing with artists?

They fail to mention that App Store brings in double as much revenue compared to Google Play Store, if you’re not happy with Apples 15% cut, just use Play Store and see how it goes for your business.


And also, Spotify decided to go to court so they could have a bigger cut from the poor artists while Apple decided not to. They’re such a hypocrite
Score: 79 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pepe4life Avatar
62 months ago
Spotify is probably one of the whiniest companies on this planet
Score: 77 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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