Epic Games’ Tim Sweeney Vows Apple Legal Battle Continuation

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has declared his intention to pursue additional legal action against tech giant Apple, just days after the US Supreme Court rejected further appeals from both parties regarding a 2021 California court ruling in the Epic vs. Apple antitrust lawsuit.

The protracted legal battle began in August 2020 when Epic Games initiated court proceedings against Apple following the revocation of Epic’s Fortnite developer account. Apple’s decision to block the popular game’s distribution on its devices came after Epic intentionally bypassed the contractually mandated App Store payment mechanisms embedded in its Fortnite iOS app. This strategic move aimed to circumvent Apple’s 30 percent platform fees.

The final verdict on Epic’s lawsuit was delivered in September 2021 by Judge Gonzalez-Rogers, who ruled against Epic in nine out of its ten claims. The judge determined that Epic had failed to substantiate its argument that Apple held a monopoly, as defined by antitrust laws. However, Gonzalez-Rogers did side with Epic on one crucial matter, stating that Apple could not prohibit developers from including links to alternative payment methods within their apps—a practice commonly referred to as “anti-steering.”

Related: Supreme Court Rejects Apple’s Appeal, Paving the Way for App Store Payment Revolution

Undeterred by the recent Supreme Court dismissal, Tim Sweeney expressed his commitment to challenging Apple’s practices. The legal battle revolves around the contentious issue of Apple’s control over its App Store and the associated fees imposed on developers.

Epic Games has consistently argued that Apple’s App Store policies stifle competition and innovation, and Sweeney’s determination to continue the fight suggests a willingness to challenge the status quo within the tech industry.

As the legal saga between Epic Games and Apple unfolds, the implications for the broader app development and distribution landscape remain significant. The industry is watching closely as these two tech giants clash over issues that extend beyond their specific dispute, influencing the future dynamics of app ecosystems and antitrust regulations.

Source: Euro Games