![]() In this version, a Fortnite character smashes a screen displaying a cartoon talking apple, complete with a worm. The filing seeks an injunction to prohibit "Apple's anti-competitive conduct" and any "equitable relief necessary."Īt the same time as it filed the lawsuit, Epic Games attempted to raise support in the court of public opinion by releasing a video parody of Apple's famous "1984" Super Bowl commercial. If the rules weren't there, Epic states it would have released its competing app store.Įpic's argument disregards the fact that Apple's App Store and ecosystem is relatively similar to those of Sony's Playstation and Microsoft's Xbox platforms, with each forcing the use of a single digital storefront, the usage of specific payment systems, and the taking of a 30% cut of transactions.Īt this time, Epic has yet to file lawsuits against either Sony or Microsoft, demanding transaction fee cuts or the ability to operate its digital marketplace. It also argues that the same policies are anti-competitive by forcing developers to use the App Store. Its objections to the policies primarily include Apple's "exorbitant" 30% commission for in-app purchases. The suit also went as far as to alleged Apple's size and reach "far exceeds that of any technology monopolist in history."Īn important part of the suit is that it isn't attempting to argue whether Epic was abiding by App Store guidelines but instead fought against the guidelines themselves. The complaint from Epic took an accusatory stance, declaring Apple had become a "behemoth seeking to control markets, block competition, and stifle innovation. It laid another lawsuit against Google for its "Fortnite" removal. District Court for the Northern District of California, in retaliation for pulling the game. The same day as the removal, Epic filed a lawsuit against Apple in the U.S. Similarly, Google also pulled the game from the Google Play Store, though on Android, the game is still available via third-party stores and from Epic directly. The Fortnite update added a second direct payment option.Īs was to be expected, Apple pulled the game from the App Store for violating the App Store guidelines within hours of the update's appearance. The change was not limited to just the iOS version of the game, as it was similarly applied to the Android version, again going against the Google Play Store's similar policy and fees. At the same time, subscriptions can pay a smaller cut of the transaction fee in many situations. For a start, the rule pertains to digital goods, with exceptions made for physical goods, such as online retailers and restaurants. The fee is a non-negotiable element for the vast majority of apps, but there are some exceptions. ![]() ![]() Offering the option enabled Epic to skirt App Store rules that demanded payments go through the App Store payment system, paying a 30% fee in the process. The main triggering event occurred on August 13, when Epic updated the Fortnite app with a new feature, one that allowed consumers to pay Epic directly for in-app currency at a discount, rather than paying traditionally via Apple's App Store payment mechanism. ![]() With the appeals court ruling published and the two sides considering their position and further potential appeals, here's how Apple and Epic got into a years-long litigious battle, what followed after the ruling, the first appeals over the original trial's ruling, that result, and the impending fallout.Įpic updates Fortnite, Apple pulls it down ![]() Simultaneously, as Apple received scrutiny over its policies, Epic itself has also come under fire for how it handled the situation, including forcing it to happen and orchestrating a premeditated response. While the fight is mostly between Epic vs Apple, it has already seen other parties wading in with their observations and opinions on the matter, including developers of other apps included in the App Store. ![]()
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