## Fortnite’s Possible iOS Return: Epic Games Triumphs Over Apple in Legal Spat
Epic Games has secured a significant victory in its ongoing legal battle with Apple, potentially paving the way for the return of *Fortnite* to the U.S. iOS App Store as early as next week. The legal saga, which has been closely watched by developers and tech giants alike, took a dramatic turn when Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple was in “willful violation” of a 2021 injunction.
The original injunction stemmed from the antitrust lawsuit filed by Epic Games, challenging Apple’s App Store policies and its control over in-app purchases. While Apple largely prevailed in the initial trial, the court did rule against Apple’s practice of preventing developers from informing users about alternative payment methods outside the App Store. The injunction prohibited Apple from restricting developers from directing customers to their own websites for purchases, effectively bypassing Apple’s commission.
However, Judge Rogers found that Apple not only failed to comply with the injunction but did so “willfully,” intending to erect new anti-competitive barriers. In a scathing rebuke, she stated, “That it thought this Court would tolerate such insubordination was a gross miscalculation. As always, the coverup made it worse. For this Court, there is no second bite at the apple.” The judge has referred the matter to the U.S. attorney for potential criminal contempt proceedings.
Following the ruling, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced on X (formerly Twitter) that *Fortnite* would be making its way back to the U.S. App Store potentially as early as next week. Sweeney has also issued a proposal to Apple, stating that if Apple extends the court’s “friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide,” Epic Games will return *Fortnite* to the App Store globally and drop all related litigation.
The ruling has been met with celebration from other tech companies that have voiced concerns about Apple’s App Store policies. Spotify spokesperson Jeanne Moran released a statement saying, “This landmark court ruling is a victory for developers everywhere. Spotify will move quickly to submit an app update to Apple, enhancing the experience for our consumers across the United States.”
This latest development marks a crucial moment in the ongoing debate surrounding app store dominance and the power dynamics between platform owners and developers. Whether Apple will heed Sweeney’s proposal or continue to fight the legal battle remains to be seen, but for now, *Fortnite* fans in the U.S. have reason to be optimistic.
Bir yanıt yazın