The Battle for Fortnite: Epic Accuses Apple of Contempt in Latest Court Filing

The ongoing saga between Epic Games and Apple has taken another dramatic turn. In a new court filing, Epic is accusing Apple of being in contempt of a court order from last month, claiming that the tech giant is deliberately delaying the review of Fortnite’s submission to the US App Store. In this post, we’ll dive into the details of the latest development and explore the implications for the gaming industry.

The Contempt Claim

Epic is asking District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to order Apple to review and approve Fortnite’s submission to the US App Store, citing Apple’s failure to comply with the judge’s April order restricting the rejection of apps over their use of outside payment links. The company argues that Apple’s delay is a clear violation of the court’s order and is instead choosing to retaliate against Epic for its legal fight.

The Backstory

For those who may not be familiar with the case, Fortnite was removed from the App Store in August 2020 after Epic introduced a direct payment system that bypassed Apple’s in-app purchase rules. The move led to a lawsuit from Apple, which claimed that Epic was violating its developer agreement. In April, Judge Gonzalez Rogers ruled in favor of Apple, finding that Epic had knowingly broken its agreement with the company.

The Current Standoff

Epic has since submitted Fortnite to the App Store twice, most recently with an update that includes content from the EU version of the game. However, instead of being approved, the game disappeared from the EU App Store, leading Epic to claim that Apple is blocking its US submission. Apple, on the other hand, claims that it has merely asked Epic to resubmit the app without including the US storefront, to avoid impacting the game in other regions.

The Implications

The outcome of this case has significant implications for the gaming industry. If Apple is found to be in contempt of court, it could lead to further restrictions on the company’s ability to reject apps over their use of outside payment links. Additionally, the case highlights the ongoing tension between app developers and platform holders over issues such as revenue sharing and control.

What’s Next?

The case is now in the hands of Judge Gonzalez Rogers, who will need to decide whether Apple is indeed in contempt of court. If she finds in favor of Epic, Apple could be required to approve Fortnite’s submission to the App Store. However, as 9to5Mac notes, the judge has not gone so far as to require Fortnite’s return to the store in the past, and it’s unclear whether she will do so this time around.

Actionable Insights

For app developers and gamers alike, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding the terms of service and developer agreements with platform holders. It also highlights the need for developers to be proactive in advocating for their interests and pushing for changes to the status quo.

Conclusion

The battle between Epic and Apple is far from over, and the outcome of this case will have significant implications for the gaming industry. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences of failure could be severe. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

Summary

In a new court filing, Epic Games is accusing Apple of being in contempt of a court order, claiming that the tech giant is deliberately delaying the review of Fortnite’s submission to the US App Store. The case highlights the ongoing tension between app developers and platform holders over issues such as revenue sharing and control. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the gaming industry, and could lead to further restrictions on Apple’s ability to reject apps over their use of outside payment links.