IN APP PURCHASES EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY: MICROTRANSACTIONS & MORE

In-app purchases expert witness consultants and testifying law firm consulting advisors on IAP solutions say that microtransactions and similar offerings are a popular revenue model for mobile applications, particularly in video games, but can also create legal complexities. Attorneys and companies in legal matters hire in-app purchases expert witness authorities to provide visibility into how the transactions and online stores function, addressing issues such as consumer rights, deceptive practices, and industry standards.

1. Consumer Protection and Deceptive Practices

Legal cases arise when consumers claim that offerings are misleading, unfair, or deceptive, especially regarding pricing transparency or the promotion of loot boxes. A top in-app purchases expert witness evaluates whether the game or app complied with consumer protection laws. Relevant products include:

• Fortnite (V-bucks and loot boxes)

• Clash of Clans (gem purchases)

• Candy Crush Saga (in-app boosts)

• PUBG Mobile (battle passes and skins)

• FIFA Mobile (packs and player purchases)

2. Class Action Lawsuits

In class action lawsuits, groups of consumers allege that a game or app engaged in unfair IAP practices. Firms book a in-app purchases expert witness to analyze the game’s purchasing structure, pricing, and user experience. Products involved in these cases could include:

• Pokemon GO (special items and event passes)

• Roblox (Robux purchases)

• Mario Kart Tour (in-game currency)

• Angry Birds 2 (special offers)

• Dragon Ball Legends (summoning and loot boxes)

3. Intellectual Property and Licensing Disputes

Certain cases involve intellectual property concerns, where a third party claims that a game’s IAP model infringes on a patent or licensing agreement. And so an in-app purchases expert witness addresses the technical and financial aspects of such claims. Products could include:

• Candy Crush Soda Saga (virtual goods patents)

• Battlefield Mobile (in-game content and upgrades)

• Clash Royale (in-game currency mechanics)

• SimCity BuildIt (in-app store)

• FarmVille (virtual goods and expansion packs)

4. Game Development and Monetization

In cases involving disputes between game developers and publishers, in-app purchases expert witnesses evaluate how online stores and buys were integrated into the game’s design and monetization strategy. Notable products include:

• Minecraft (skins and marketplace)

• Call of Duty Mobile (seasonal passes)

• League of Legends (skins and microtransactions)

• NBA Live Mobile (card packs)

• World of Warcraft (subscription and expansions)

5. Data Privacy and Security Concerns

Microtransactions frequently involve the collection of user data, which can lead to legal cases regarding privacy violations. Renowned in-app purchases expert witness advisors review the practices related to data collection and compliance with privacy laws. Products in such cases might include:

• Twitch (subscriptions and virtual goods)

• Spotify (premium upgrades)

• HBO Max (subscriptions and add-ons)

• Disney+ (subscription model)

• Google Play Store (payment systems and user data)

An in-app purchases expert witness helps clarify the legal aspects of transactions, focusing on consumer protection, industry standards, and data privacy.