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Epic Games Accuses Apple of Contempt in App Store Battle

By  |  March 13, 2024

In a dramatic turn of events in the ongoing legal saga between Epic Games and Apple, Epic Games, the maker of the widely popular video game “Fortnite,” has urged a federal judge to hold Apple in contempt. The accusation comes amidst claims of Apple’s alleged violation of an injunction governing the operation of its App Store.

The clash between the two tech giants dates back to 2020 when Epic Games lodged a complaint against Apple, alleging antitrust violations. Central to Epic’s argument was Apple’s requirement for consumers to exclusively obtain apps through its App Store, coupled with hefty commissions of up to 30% on in-app purchases, per Reuters.

Following a September 2021 injunction, Apple was mandated to permit app developers to integrate links and buttons directing consumers to alternative payment methods for digital content. However, Epic Games, in a recent filing with the federal court in Oakland, California, asserted that Apple has blatantly disregarded this injunction.

Related: EU Authorities Probe Deeper into Apple and Epic Games’ Escalating Conflict

Epic Games accused Apple of imposing new fees and regulations, rendering the provided links “commercially unusable.” Additionally, Apple purportedly persists in categorically prohibiting buttons and still prevents certain apps from directing consumers to alternative purchasing channels.

“Apple’s goal is clear: to prevent purchasing alternatives from constraining the supracompetitive fees it collects on purchases of digital goods and services,” Epic Games stated in the filing. The gaming company lambasted Apple’s alleged compliance as nothing but a facade.

The latest development intensifies the protracted legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the clash. The outcome of this showdown holds significant implications not only for the two companies involved but also for the broader digital ecosystem and the future of app distribution and monetization.

Source: Reuters