Epic seeks court’s help to enforce Apple App Store injunction
Epic Games, the creator of the popular video game Fortnite, is taking its battle against tech giant Apple to the next level. In a recent court filing, Epic has asked a judge to enforce an injunction against Apple’s App Store practices.
The injunction in question was issued last year by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who ruled that Apple must allow app developers to use third-party payment systems. This was a blow to Apple, which has long required developers to use its own in-app payment system and take a 30% cut of all transactions.
Epic had originally filed a lawsuit against Apple in August 2020, alleging that the tech company’s App Store policies were anticompetitive and monopolistic. The legal battle quickly escalated, with Apple retaliating by removing Fortnite from the App Store and threatening to terminate Epic’s developer account.
Since Judge Rogers’ ruling last year, Epic has been pushing for the injunction to be enforced, but Apple has been resistant to making any changes to its App Store policies. In the recent court filing, Epic argued that Apple’s refusal to comply with the injunction is harming both developers and consumers.
Epic’s request for enforcement of the injunction comes at a critical time, as Apple is facing increasing scrutiny over its App Store practices from regulators around the world. The European Union recently launched an antitrust investigation into Apple’s App Store, and several U.S. states have introduced legislation aimed at curbing the tech giant’s power.
In a statement, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said, “Apple’s refusal to comply with the court’s order is yet another example of their anticompetitive behavior. We are committed to fighting for a fair and open App Store that benefits developers and consumers alike.”
It remains to be seen how the judge will rule on Epic’s request for enforcement of the injunction, but one thing is clear: the battle between Epic Games and Apple is far from over. As the tech industry continues to grapple with issues of competition and antitrust, all eyes will be on this high-profile legal dispute.
