CARY – Apple’s in-app payment system is anti-competitive and must be changed, says the Dutch government’s antitrust authority in a decision reported by Reuters news service on Thursday.

And there may be more legal trouble on the horizon for Apple. According to Bloomberg, the European Commission could be “formally charged” over rivals being denied to utilize contactless payments on phones.

Citing “four people familiar with the matter,” Reuters said the government agency – Netherlands’ Authority for Consumers and Markets – has ordered changes.

The news could be important for Cary-based Epic Games, which is involved in its own legal battle with Apple.

The company declined comment when contacted by WRAL TechWire but did note a tweet from the Coalition for App Fariness and pointed out Epic is a part of that group.

The coalition called the Reuters report “a very good development for European developers and consumers.”

Epic Games is challenging Apple across the globe, saying the requirement software and service providers use Apple’s payment system is anticompetitive. Epic also has said the fees – as much as 30% – imposed by Apple are a “tax.” However, a federal judge in the case ruled that Apple was not amonopoly but did order changes in the system. Both Apple and Epic are appealing the ruling, and Apple has continued to bar Epic from the app store despite the judge’s ruling.

If the decision is as reported, it’s the latest setback for Apple in its legal fights. While Apple settled a case in Japan over its system, the government of South Korea says Apple and Google can’t make developers use their payment systems.

Legal cases also are underway in the EU and Australia.

The coalition tweet:

The Bloomberg tweet: