In doing so, Microsoft says quite clearly that if Apple is not stopped now, the “antitrust-critical behavior will only get worse.” This is reported by the online magazine Apple Insider. Microsoft had commented on this in a statement in support of Epic Games in its appeal against Apple (we reported). Microsoft is now getting heavily involved, arguing that “the potential antitrust issues go far beyond gaming.”

Microsoft explains how the group’s own “unique – and balanced – perspective describes the legal, economic and technological issues involved in this case.” As a company that, like Apple, sells both hardware and software, Microsoft says it has an interest in supporting antitrust law.

Apple as gatekeeper

Apple would currently use its “extraordinary gatekeeper power” in this, which Microsoft is now publicly criticizing in the joint fight with Epic Games. The judge in the original trial would have been wrong to do so, which Microsoft sees as making the appeal important for the industry as a whole. “Online commerce and interpersonal relationships occur significantly, and sometimes predominantly, on iOS devices,” Microsoft said.

Too many domains, too much power

“Few companies, perhaps none since AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”) at the height of its phone monopoly, have controlled the system through which such a wide range of economic activity flows,” Microsoft explained in the statement. “Beyond app sales and in-app payment solutions – the adjacent markets directly at issue in this case – Apple offers mobile payments, music, movies and TV, advertising, games, health monitoring, web browsing, messaging, video chat, messaging, cloud storage, e-books, smart home devices, wearables and more,” Microsoft’s filing says.

Microsoft is therefore certain that if the original ruling is upheld, the result could be that “Apple will be insulated from deserved antitrust scrutiny and further harmful conduct will be encouraged.” The company further concludes that this would mean that “third-party innovation will suffer.” Apple is not expected to respond to the appeal with a response until March.