Spotify’s founder is taking measures to prevent an Apple monopoly in Europe.
Spotify founder Daniel Ek says Apple gets away with the gambit by circumventing existing rules by governing “self-interested” promotion app stores and marketplaces of the like. He reckons the Apple-licensed “App Store” should remain objectively unbiased with the market place should remain inconquerable.
“My goal for Spotify is and has always been to re-imagine the audio experience by giving consumers the best creativity and innovation we have to offer,” Ek wrote. “For that to be a reality, it is my firm belief that companies like ours must operate in an ecosystem in which fair competition is not only encouraged, but guaranteed.”
One example that Ek outlined in his written deposition, is the manner in which Apple taxes businesses that want to use their platform as a seller’s market. Obviously, Apple doesn’t tax itself the same 30% markup it does others, and why would they? That’s not to say, Apple’s proprietary practices weren’t founded on shady dealings in the first place. Ek insists that Spotify isn’t seeking special treatment in filing this motion. What do you make of Ek’s comments; do they resonate at all?
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