The Battle Against App Store Monopolies: A Discussion with Christian Owens

Christian Owens built the first version of Paddle about 10 years ago. Not only does this make him a great candidate to interview, he also served as a key witness in the Epic v Google case that concluded at the end of last year. For a succinct summary of events, check out our recent piece about How Fortnite Beat Google. This podcast episode is a continuation of that main episode. Here are some high level points:

• Epic Games vs. Big Tech: Christian delves deeper into the legal confrontations between Epic Games and major tech companies. He highlights how these legal disputes reflect broader issues within tech, particularly focusing on the impact these battles have on the dynamics of various app stores.
• Dominance of Major App Stores: Christian brings attention to the monopoly power exerted by app stores like those of Apple and Google. He critically examines how this dominance impacts market competition and places significant constraints on app developers, especially those who are smaller or independent.
• Barriers for Small Business Developers: Christian emphasizes the particular challenges faced by small business developers in these ecosystems. High fees and limited payment options in major app stores are highlighted as significant barriers that hinder these developers' ability to compete effectively and innovate within the market.
• Effect on Innovation and Growth: The conversation shifts to address the broader implications of the current app store model on innovation and business growth. Christian points out that the prevailing conditions within these monopolistic app stores stifle creativity and growth opportunities for smaller developers, impacting the overall health and diversity of the app market.
• Predictions for Future Development Trends: Christian conclude with forward-looking predictions about the app development industry. They speculate on potential shifts towards more open competition and the development of new, more equitable monetization strategies, suggesting a future where the app market could become more accessible and dynamic.