Epic Games v. Apple explained

Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple Inc. was a lawsuit brought by Epic Games against Apple in August 2020 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, related to Apple's practices in the iOS App Store. Epic Games specifically had challenged Apple's restrictions on apps from having other in-app purchasing methods outside of the one offered by the App Store. Epic Games's founder Tim Sweeney had previously challenged the 30% revenue cut that Apple takes on each purchase made in the App Store, and with their game Fortnite, wanted to either bypass Apple or have Apple take less of a cut. Epic implemented changes in Fortnite intentionally on August 13, 2020, to bypass the App Store payment system, prompting Apple to block the game from the App Store and leading to Epic filing its lawsuit. Apple filed a countersuit, asserting Epic purposely breached its terms of contract with Apple to goad it into action, and defended itself from Epic's suit.

The trial ran from May 3 to May 24, 2021. In a September 2021 ruling in the first part of the case, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decided in favor of Apple on nine of ten counts, but found against Apple on its anti-steering policies under the California Unfair Competition Law. Rogers prohibited Apple from stopping developers from informing users of other payment systems within apps. Epic appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court in July of 2023. Apple also filed an appeal of the ruling. Justice Kagan declined to grant Epic's emergency request for a stay of the ruling in August of 2023. In January of 2024, the Supreme Court denied the full appeals of both Apple and Epic in the case, leaving the case primarily a victory for Apple but still requiring them to allow developers to include notices of alternate payment systems in apps.

Epic also filed another lawsuit, Epic Games v. Google, the same day, which challenges Google's similar practices on the Google Play app store for Android, after Google pulled Fortnite following the update for similar reasons as Apple. However, that case centered more on the practices and deals that Google, as a dominant tech giant, wielded over partners to assure use of the Play Store. In December 2023, a jury ruled against Google in that it had unlawfully maintained its monopoly on the Android environment.

Background

Since 2015, Epic Games's founder and CEO Tim Sweeney had questioned the need for digital storefronts like Valve's Steam, Apple's App Store for iOS devices, and Google Play, to take a 30% revenue sharing cut, and argued that when accounting for current rates of content distribution and other factors needed, a revenue cut of 8% should be sufficient to run any digital storefront profitably.[1] [2] While a 30% revenue cut was an industry standard across computers, consoles, and mobile platforms in 2019,[3] Sweeney stated that higher revenue shares made sense on consoles where "there's enormous investment in hardware, often sold below cost, and marketing campaigns in broad partnership with publishers", but did not extend to open platforms like mobile devices and personal computers.[4] Part of the reasoning for creating the Epic Games Store was to demonstrate that Epic could operate at a lower commission percentage (12%).[5]

As Fortnite expanded from personal computers to other platforms with the popularity of the Battle Royale mode in 2018, Epic Games sought to bring the free-to-play game to mobile devices. When Epic first released its Android client, it offered it as a sideloaded package, rather than as a Google Play store app, as they did not want Google to take any revenue from the microtransactions in the game.[6] However, this resulted in a number of security concerns and numerous unscrupulous clones attempting to pass themselves off as the real Fortnite game in the Google Play store,[7] and by April 2020, Epic discontinued the sideloaded version and placed the game on the Google Play store.[8] As Apple does not allow sideloading on iOS devices, Epic had just released the client on the App Store directly in 2018.[9]

In mid-2020, Sweeney reiterated his stance on the 30% revenue cut that Apple and Google took, ahead of a large United States Congressional hearing investigating antitrust charges on Big Tech companies, including Google, and during similar investigations of Apple in the European Union.[10] Sweeney said in a July CNBC interview that "Apple has locked down and crippled the ecosystem by inventing an absolute monopoly on the distribution of software, on the monetization of software", and "Google essentially intentionally stifles competing stores by having user interface barriers and obstruction".[11] Sweeney further stated that "If every developer could accept their own payments and avoid the 30% tax by Apple and Google we could pass the savings along to all our consumers and players would get a better deal on items. And you'd have economic competition."[11] After Apple stated that cloud gaming services like Microsoft's xCloud were not allowed on the iOS platform as they would allow content that bypassed Apple's content review, Sweeney wrote "Apple has outlawed the metaverse. The principle they state, taken literally, would rule out all cross-platform ecosystems and games with user created modes: not just xCloud, Stadia, and GeForce NOW, but also Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox."[12]

Apple has argued that the 30% cut it takes though In-App Purchases (IAP) "reflects the immense value of the App Store" and beyond the visible features it offers developers, that cut covers "Apple's technology, tools, software for app development and testing, marketing efforts, platinum-level customer service, and distribution of developers' apps and digital content."[13] Apple has further argued that it requires iOS apps to use its storefront to "ensure that iOS apps meet Apple's high standards for privacy, security, content, and quality" and avoid exposing iOS users to risks from alternative storefronts.[13]

Legal review of the cases identify the key issue is whether Apple's control of the iOS App Store is a monopoly or not. Epic Games has argued that Apple maintains a monopoly for iOS-enabled devices, and thus its behavior in restricting alternative payment systems and storefronts are anticompetitive. Apple contends that the marketplace that Epic participates in is multiple platforms, not just the iOS, and in that perspective, Apple does not have a monopoly.[13] [14]

Onset of legal action

In an interview with CNN, Sweeney stated that Epic planned out a course of action over several months prior to August 2020, codenamed "Project Liberty", aimed to force Apple and Google's hands, either to alter their store policies or to initiate legal action.[15]

As determined through the course of the trial, Epic initiated "Project Liberty" by first introducing a standard patch to Fortnite that had to be approved by Apple and Google, but which had secretly contained code that would allow users to be able to purchase the in-game currency, "V-Bucks", directly from Epic. Epic did not make mention of this feature to Apple or Google, so the patch was approved.[16] Then, on August 13, 2020, Epic released a hotfix (which did not require prior approval) to the mobile versions, triggering visibility of this purchasing option. At the same time, Epic announced for all platforms that purchases of V-Bucks directly through Epic would be discounted by 20%. For iOS and Android users, Epic cautioned users that if they purchased through the Apple or Google storefront, they were not given this discount, as Epic said they could not extend the discount due to the 30% revenue cut taken by Apple and Google.[17]

Within hours of this hotfix going live, both Apple and Google had removed Fortnite from their storefronts stating the means of bypassing their payment systems violated their terms of service.[18] [19] Epic immediately filed separate lawsuits against Apple and Google for antitrust and anticompetitive behavior in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.[20] In 2019, Epic retained Cravath, Swaine & Moore[21] and its tandem lawsuits were represented by Katherine B. Forrest and led by the chair of its antitrust division, Christine A. Varney, former lead of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice under the Obama administration.[22] Apple was represented in the suits by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher partner Mark Perry.[23]

On the day the lawsuit was filed, Epic released a video called "Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite", parodying Apple's "1984" advertisement using Fortnite assets, which Epic points out in their lawsuit had been used by Apple then to challenge the weight of IBM at the time.[20] In its suit against Apple, Epic accused Apple of antitrust behavior with its practices around the App Store and its payment system, charging that these were in violation of the federal Sherman Act and the California Cartwright Act.[24] In its suit against Google, Epic challenged Google's past mantra of "Don't be evil" and claimed that its practices around the Google Play store and its payment system violate the Sherman Act and California's Cartwright Act. Epic stated that Google's restrictions on the Android system interfered with deals for pre-loading Fortnite on phones from OnePlus and LG.[25] They state in the claim "Notwithstanding its promises to make Android devices open to competition, Google has erected contractual and technological barriers that foreclose competing ways of distributing apps to Android users, ensuring that the Google Play Store accounts for nearly all the downloads of apps from app stores on Android devices."[26]

Epic did not seek monetary damages in either case, but instead was "seeking injunctive relief to allow fair competition in these two key markets that directly affect hundreds of millions of consumers and tens of thousands, if not more, of third-party app developers."[24] In comments on social media the next day, Sweeney said that they undertook the actions as "we're fighting for the freedom of people who bought smartphones to install apps from sources of their choosing, the freedom for creators of apps to distribute them as they choose, and the freedom of both groups to do business directly. The primary opposing argument is: 'Smartphone markers can do whatever they want.' This as an awful notion.[sic] We all have rights, and we need to fight to defend our rights against whoever would deny them."[27]

Google, in response to the lawsuit, stated to The Verge that "For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have consistent policies that are fair to developers and keep the store safe for users. While Fortnite remains available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play because it violates our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play."[26]

By August 17, 2020, Apple had informed Epic that it would terminate its access to developers accounts and tools for the App Store and iOS and macOS by August 28, 2020. This led Epic to file a motion for a preliminary injunction to block this as well as prevent Apple from delisting Fortnite from the App Store, asserting that lack of access to the development tools for iOS and macOS would affect Unreal Engine development and subsequently impact all developers that used the engine.[28] [29] Apple stated in response to the request for preliminary injunction that Epic had approached them in June to ask for a special deal for Epic to operate Fortnite on the App Store to allow users to pay Epic directly, and when Apple had failed to grant them this, Epic had contacted them prior to updating the version on August 13, 2020, to state they were willingly going to violate the App Store terms. Apple further requested the court deny Epic the preliminary junction, calling the "emergency" situation one that Epic had created itself.[30] Sweeney stated in response that as his emails in Apple's complaint said, he was looking for Apple to extend to this type of exemption to all iOS developers and not just for Epic Games.[31] Epic filed a response to Apple's complaint with support of Microsoft, specifically asking the court to block Apple from taking away its iOS development tool access as this would impact all developers that have used the Unreal Engine. Microsoft wrote in their support, "Denying Epic access to Apple's SDK and other development tools will prevent Epic from supporting Unreal Engine on iOS and macOS and will place Unreal Engine and those game creators that have built, are building, and may build games on it at a substantial disadvantage."[32]

On August 24, 2020, after a court hearing Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers granted Epic's request to prevent Apple from taking away its developer licenses for iOS and macOS, but did not grant the preliminary injunction to overturn Apple's decision to remove Fortnite from the iOS store. Rogers wrote that the removal of the developers licenses had "potential significant damage to both the Unreal Engine platform itself, and to the gaming industry generally" and Apple "has chosen to act severely" in threatening that step. On terms of Fortnite, Rogers agreed with Apple that "Epic Games has not yet demonstrated irreparable harm. The current predicament appears of its own making."[33] Subsequently, Apple terminated Epic's iOS developer account on August 28, 2020, thereby preventing the company from uploading further material to the App Store but otherwise still being able to develop for the platform.[34]

Prior to the first hearing on September 28, 2020, Epic filed paperwork ahead of the hearing in which they intend to seek a preliminary injunction to require Apple to rehost Fortnite.[35]

Countersuit

Apple filed a countersuit against Epic on September 8, 2020. Apple asserted in their suit that Epic breached their contract and was seeking to block the use of Epic's payment system from any app, including Fortnite, on the iOS storefront, and sought monetary damages to recover funds that Epic had made while their version of Fortnite was active on August 13, 2020.[36] Apple called Epic's suit an attempt "to be part of a marketing campaign designed to reinvigorate interest in Fortnite".[37] [38] Judge Rogers dismissed Apple's monetary claims of theft in November 2020, stating that the claims cannot be considered "independently wrongful" of the breach of contract claims, leaving these breach claims otherwise in place.[39]

District court

Preliminary hearing

At the first court hearing on the matter on September 28, 2020, Judge Rogers appeared likely to deny Epic's demand to require Apple to rehost Fortnite on the App Store unless Epic conforms to the App Store policy, consistent with Apple's argument that Epic itself had created the situation leading to its removal, but otherwise ready to maintain the restraining order related to the Unreal Engine and Epic's developer accounts. Judge Rogers indicated that she was in favor of a jury trial when the case would be heard, then expected to be in July 2021, stating during the hearing "I think it's important enough to understand what real people think. Do these security issues concern people or not? Are the concerns of the developers incredibly important? I think many people would feel it is. I do think that this is something for which jury insights would be important."[40]

In post-hearing filings, both Epic and Apple argued that the case should be decided by a judge rather than a jury.[41] Judge Rogers agreed, scheduling a bench trial to commence in May 2021.[42] In October 2020, Judge Rogers denied Epic Games's request for a temporary injunction that would require Apple to allow Fortnite in its current state (with Epic's storefront), but made permanent the injunction preventing Apple from terminating Epic's developer accounts such that it could continue to maintain the Unreal Engine for iOS and macOS systems.[43] In her decision, Rogers stated that a key aspect of her review of the case would be Epic's contention that the App Store is unique and its arguments as to why Apple's antitrust behavior is limited to the App Store and not to the other closed systems such as Xbox Live, PlayStation Store or the Nintendo eShop. Rogers said that "a final decision should be better informed regarding the impact of the walled garden model given the potential for significant and serious ramifications for Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft and their video game platforms."[44]

Pre-trial

Facebook stated in December 2020 that it will fully support Epic Games in the lawsuit during its discovery phase. Facebook itself had been in prior conflict with Apple over its App Store policies and had amassed its own collection of information they plan to share with Epic.[45]

As part of its case, Apple had attempted to subpoena records from Valve related to several hundred games and their sales on Steam, given that Steam is a direct competitor to Epic Games's storefront in the personal computer space. Valve declined to comply with these requests, arguing that Apple's requests are overly broad and unrelated to their complaint with Epic.[46] The judge ruled in Apple's favor, stating that Valve was not the only target of Apple's subpoenas seeking similar storefront data, and thus the request was not unreasonable.[47]

Trial

The trial commenced on May 3, 2021. Due to the nature of the case, Judge Gonzalez Rogers required that all parties be physically present at the court, with additional steps made to account for safety due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[48] [49] The trial ran for three weeks, with testimony ending on May 21, 2021 and closing arguments given on May 24, 2021.[50] The law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore represented Epic Games while Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher represented Apple.[51]

Among aspects covered by the trial included:

During the trial, a number of documents that were part of evidence collected by Epic and Apple were made public during proceedings, some containing confidential information related to third parties. Some of these documents were meant to be sealed but were instead misplaced into online public court records, and revealed some of the past inner workings of the video game industry, in addition to details on Epic's financials related to the Epic Game Store. This included Epic previously approaching Sony Interactive Entertainment in early 2018 to try to convince them to allow for cross-platform play on the PlayStation consoles; Epic approaching Microsoft to try to get them to allow free-to-play games to be played on the Xbox consoles without the need for an Xbox Live Gold paid subscription; and an unannounced game streaming service planned by Walmart. Judge Rogers took steps after the second day to try to make sure that appropriately sealed documents were kept out of the online public records.[61] [62]

Decision

Judge Rogers issued her first ruling on September 10, 2021, which was considered a split decision by law professor Mark Lemley.[63] Rogers found in favor of Apple on nine of ten counts brought up against them in the case, including Epic's charges related to Apple's 30% revenue cut and Apple's prohibition against third-party marketplaces on the iOS environment.[64] Rogers did rule against Apple on the final charge related to anti-steering provisions, and issued a permanent injunction that, in 90 days from the ruling, blocked Apple from preventing developers from linking app users to other storefronts from within apps to complete purchases or from collecting information within an app, such as an email, to notify users of these storefronts.[65]

In her decision, Rogers identified that the market of concern was neither games (Apple's stance) nor Apple's App Store (Epic's stance) but digital mobile gaming transactions. Rogers identified that the demographics for mobile games was far different from computer or console games, and mobile games most often use the freemium payment model in which games are offered for free on the App Store but include additional features, such as cosmetic features or power-up bonuses, available for purchase, making this particular market sufficiently different from the overall video game market.[66] Under this market definition, Judge Rogers concluded that Apple was not a monopoly and mostly a duopoly alongside Google, with potential competition to come from Nintendo and Google Stadia, and while Apple "enjoys considerable market share of over 55% and extraordinary high profit margins", that type of success was not an illegal monopoly.[66] [67] In this light, Judge Rogers ruled that Epic had failed to show that Apple violated federal or state antitrust laws, but ruled that Apple did violate the California Unfair Competition Law through the anti-competitive behavior of disallowing any mention of other payment systems within apps.[68] [66]

In line with Epic's arguments, Rogers identified that some of Apple's practices may be of concern due to the lack of competition in the digital game purchases market, but as having determined that Apple was not a monopoly, could not take immediate action to remedy.[66] Rogers stated that the lack of competition in this area was of concern and that Apple only seemed to be motivated to innovate or change its App Store policies when subject to litigation.[66] Rogers believed that the 30% revenue cut that Apple charges may be "unjustified" relative to the value they offer, but without significant competition to compare alternate schemes, she could not make any direct order on this.[69] Rogers did write that "The point is that a third-party app store could put pressure on Apple to innovate by providing features that Apple has neglected."[66] However, she disagreed with Epic's stance that Apple should not require apps to include the IAP feature for payment features, stating that Apple has a right to take some fee for licensing its intellectual property to developers.[66] Rogers agreed with Apple that there was a valid interest in their policies to require oversight on app approval for the App Store for security purposes, which Epic had argued was used to shut down app approvals. However, Rogers did not fully accept Apple's argument that app review had to be tied directly to app distribution as the only means to prevent malware and other security issues, believing that more app reviewers would help separate these functions within the App Store.[66]

Judge Rogers also ruled against Epic, requiring them to pay Apple, 30% of the revenue that was withheld to Apple related to their attempts to bypass the App Store,[63] and further stated that Epic did violate its contractual terms as a developer with Apple in how they deployed the update to Fortnite in August 2020 that instigated events, such that Apple may block Epic in the future from providing apps to the App Store.[70] Rogers stated that Apple's single offense against California's law was not sufficiently severe to justify Epic's rulebreaking.[66]

Appeals

On the day of Rogers's decision, a representative for Apple stated that "Today the Court has affirmed what we've known all along: the App Store is not in violation of antitrust law."[64] However, in October 2021, Apple filed an appeal of the decision, seeking to overturn the preliminary injunction related to anti-steering practices which was due to go into effect in December 2021. Apple claimed the injunction was no longer necessary as they were planning on deleting the anti-steering provisions from their AUP as a result of the settlement from a separate lawsuit, Cameron v. Apple, completed in August 2021.[71] Judge Rogers denied a stay of the injunction related to the anti-steering provisions in November 2021, requiring Apple to comply by December 9, 2021, 90 days from the initial order.[72] The Ninth Circuit issued a stay on the portion of Judge Rogers's order related to provide in-app links to alternate payment systems on December 8, 2021, ruling that Apple had shown likelihood to succeed on their appeal, though the order requiring Apple to allow apps to communicate to users about such payment systems outside of the app was upheld.[73]

Epic Games's Sweeney stated that the decision "isn't a win for developers or for consumers", that Epic would not be bringing Fortnite back to iOS until "Epic can offer in-app payment in fair competition with Apple in-app payment, passing along the savings to consumers", and that they would continue to litigate on this matter.[74] Epic filed notice of its appeal to the Ninth Circuit on September 12, 2021, challenging Judge Rogers's conclusion that Apple was not a monopoly.[75] Following their appeal on September 22, Sweeney stated that Apple had told Epic they would not let Fortnite back onto the App Store until the completion of all litigation related to the suit, which Sweeney later believed that this particular process would take "a minimum of five years, if not more", thereby prolonging the lawsuit until 2026.[76]

A coalition of 35 states, Microsoft, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and several other groups filed amicus briefs in support of Epic's position, arguing that Apple held a monopoly and thus that Epic should prevail in its lawsuit.[77]

Court hearings for the appeals began on November 14, 2022, in the Ninth Circuit.[78]

The Ninth Circuit issued its opinion on April 24, 2023. The three judge panel all agreed that the lower court ruling should be upheld. However, the Ninth Circuit agreed to stay the injunction requiring Apple to offer third-party payment options in July 2023, allowing time for Apple to submit its appeal to the Supreme Court.[79] Both Apple and Epic Games have appealed this decision to the Supreme Court in July 2023.[80] [81] Justice Elena Kagan declined Epic's emergency request to lift the Ninth Circuit's stay in August 2023.[82]

On January 16, 2024, the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeals from Apple and Epic in the case. [83]

Aftermath

With the Supreme Court's refusal to hear either appeal, the case ended with all charges dismissed exception for the anti-steering charge. To implement this, Apple allowed developers to include "metadata buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms", but required that developers give Apple 27% of all sales made within seven days of being directed to these sites, which Apple described as a "reasonable means to account for the substantial value Apple provides developers, including in facilitating linked transactions".[84] In addition, the App Store posts a warning screen stating that Apple is not responsible for any security or privacy issues related to third-party payment systems when clicking through to one of these systems.[84] Sweeney stated that these changes are in bad faith compliance with the court orders, maintaining a 27% anti-competitive tax and a "scare screen" that are intended to dissuade developers from using third-party payment systems. Epic filed its request to Rogers in March 2024 to enforce the anti-steering provision that she had outlined for Apple.[84] [85]

Apple had requested the lower court to order Epic Games to pay 90% of Apple's legal fees estimated at $73 million, based on the fact that nine of the ten claims Epic filed were dismissed by the court.[86]

Apple announced on January 2024 that to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) that it will allow third party storefronts to be loaded onto iOS devices in March 2024. In response, Epic stated they plan to bring the Epic Games Store as well as Fortnite to iOS in Europe. [87] Sweeney still argued that the new terms for use in the EU were "a new instance of Malicious Compliance" and would continue to challenge those through legal routes.[88] While Epic had originally been approved for an Apple developer account through its Sweden office in preparation to release Fortnite on iOS in early 2024, Apple nullified the account on March 6, 2024, stating that Epic Games was untrustworthy and threatened the iOS environment. Epic published letters it had obtained from Apple that Epic claimed demonstrated the account termination was retaliatory for Sweeney's comments on Apple's compliance with the DMA and vowed to fight Apple as needed.[89] The EU stated the next day they were seeking more details from Apple and whether the action was compliant under the DMA.[90] Following that, on March 8, Apple reversed the ban on Epic's Sweden account, which Sweeney stated was "a big win for European rule of law, for the European Commission, and for the freedom of developers worldwide to speak up."[91] Apple ultimately approved of Epic's application to be on the App Store in July 2024, following Apple's complaints that Epic's apps used user interface aspects that were too similar to its own storefront elements.[92] The Epic Games Store app, along with Fortnite, were released for iOS users in Europe only on August 16, 2024.[93]

The United Kingdom passed the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (DMCC) in May 2024, which made similar requirements on app stores as the EU's DMA. After its passage, Epic Games stated they plan to bring their own Epic Games Store and Fortnite to iOS systems in the UK in the second half of 2025.[94]

Reactions

Companies like Facebook, Spotify, and the Match Group supported Epic Games in its lawsuit and spoke of their own past issues with Apple's App Store policies related to their services.[95] Digital Content Next, a non-profit trade group representing media outlets like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, also backed Epic's suit, asserting among other issues that Apple has given out uniquely favorable deals to some providers like Amazon but not to others.[96]

After the initial ban, some people attempted to sell mobile iOS devices with Fortnite still installed for thousands of dollars.[97] When the game was removed from the App Store, it did not surprise many users as most people were anticipating it from the beginning and it seemed that many players purely jumped "on board for the memes", according to Polygon.[98] In September 2020, Epic Games, together with thirteen other companies, launched the Coalition for App Fairness, which aims for better conditions for the inclusion of apps in the app stores.[99]

On October 8, 2020, Microsoft announced a commitment to ten fairness principles in the operation of its Microsoft Store on Windows 10, which included promises of transparency over its guidelines, not blocking competing app stores from being used on Windows, and not removing apps from the store based on their business model, how they handle payments, or how their services are delivered.[100]

In December 2020, Apple announced that it would be lowering the revenue cut Apple takes for app developers making $1M or less from 30% to 15% if app developers fill out an application for the lowered revenue cut.[101]

Epic Games v. Google

See main article: Epic Games v. Google. The events and initial actions on Epic's lawsuit against Google were brought on the same day as Epic's suit against Apple, but Google stressed the legal situation around their case is far different. Google asserted that the Android operating system does not have the same single storefront restriction as Apple's iOS, and thus allows different Android phone manufacturers to bundle different storefronts and apps as they desire. Google said they are negotiating with Epic Games far differently from Apple in their case.[102]

Following a lawsuit filed by 36 states and the District of Columbia over antitrust violations related to the Play Store in early July 2021, Epic amended its claim in the Google suit later that month to reflect information supporting the states' case. Epic specifically focused on Google's actions when Epic had started working with Samsung to offer Fortnite through their own storefront, with evidence from the states that corroborated anti-competitive behavior.[103]

Google countersued Epic in October 2021, asserting that by introducing a version of Fortnite that did not use Google Play's payment systems, Epic had violated their contract with Google, and because this version still exists and can be obtained in other formats outside of Google Play, Epic "has alternatively been unjustly enriched at Google's expense", and seek to recover monetary damages from this version.[104]

After a jury trial over November and December 2023, the jury ruled in favor of Epic Games on December 11, 2023, finding that Google has a monopoly in the Android device space with Google Play, and engaged in unlawful practices to maintain that monopoly. The jury also concluded that Google also unlawfully tied Google Play to its billing systems.[105]

Related actions

By Epic Games

In December 2020, Epic Games filed separate complaints against Apple and Google in the United Kingdom's Competition Appeal Tribunal related to the companies' anticompetitive behavior in both the UK and European Union, with similar charges as Epic asserted in their U.S. cases.[106] They have also launched legal action in Australia,[107] [108] and the European Union.[109] On February 22, 2021, the Competition Appeal Tribunal rejected Epic's lawsuit against Apple in the UK however allowed their lawsuit against Google to proceed. Epic Games later released a statement stating that they would reconsider pursuing their lawsuit against Apple in the UK following the resolution of the U.S. lawsuit while also stated that they were "pleased" with the tribunal's decision regarding their case against Google.[110]

Epic also filed similar charges against Apple in Australia. On April 9, 2021, Judge Nye Perram ordered a three-month stay on Epic's lawsuit against Apple in Australia while stating that the stay would become permanent in the event Epic does not file in the U.S. but under the Australian Consumer Law within that time frame.[111] Epic appealed Judge Perram's ruling, which was granted in a ruling in July 2021, allowing its case in Australia to go forward.[112]

Epic had acquired Bandcamp in March 2022. Bandcamp allowed music creators to sell music with a 10-15% revenue split, which was kept following Epic's acquisition. Google announced a planned change in its Google Play Store policy that required all apps to use its Play Store payment systems or face removal by June 2022. Bandcamp, supported by Epic, sued Google in April 2022 and sought a preliminary injunction to block this action by Google, arguing that the 30% revenue cut demanded by the Play Store payment system would destroy their financial model. Google responded that they have offered a Media Experience Program that for media apps that provide appropriate integration with Google's services, that they can use a 10% revenue cut through the Play Store instead.[113] By May 2022, an agreement had been arranged that while Epic's suit continues, Bandcamp could continue to use its in-app purchasing system, though they will retain the 10% fee on each sale in escrow until the conclusion of the case.[114]

Additional filings by Epic assert that Google had paid competitors significant sums of money to dissuade them from making a competition app store to Google Play, with the highest being paid to Activision Blizzard. Epic Games said these payments helped Google to maintain its monopoly on storefronts via Google Play on the Android operating system.[115]

Others

In the United States, forty states filed suit against Google in July 2021 arguing its app store practices, including its 30% revenue cut, were anti-competitive, similar to the factors that Epic sought in its case.[116] Later, in August 2021, Senators Richard Blumenthal, Marsha Blackburn, and Amy Klobuchar introduced the Open App Markets Act bill, which would prevent app stores from forcing developers from exclusively using the app store's payment system.[117] The bill passed out of the Senate committee by February 2022.[118] It died at the end of the 117th Congress.

In August 2021, as part of a settlement to Cameron v. Apple, a similar class-action lawsuit filed by app developers, Apple announced that it would allow developers to collect information within apps such as email addresses from users so that the developers can subsequently tell customers about ways to pay outside of the App Store.[119]

South Korea passed a law in August 2021 amending their Telecommunications Business Act that required app stores like Apple's and Google's to allow app developers to use alternative payment systems other than the storefront, in addition to giving the government more involvement in mediations over app store issues in conflicts between the operators and developers and users. This was the first such law passed at a national level.[120] Epic asked Apple to allow Fortnite onto the Korean version of the store due to this policy in September 2021, but Apple rejected this as the law had yet to come into effect.[121]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Steam could be profitable with an 8% cut rather than 30%, says Tim Sweeney . Richard-Scott . Jones . August 23, 2017 . December 14, 2018 . . January 20, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190120080728/https://www.pcgamesn.com/steam-revenue-cut-tim-sweeney . live .
  2. Epic's Years-Long Plan to Paint Itself as Gaming's Good Guy . Cecelia . D'Anastasio . May 7, 2021 . May 7, 2021 . . May 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210511121943/https://www.wired.com/story/epic-games-plan-paint-itself-as-good-guy/ . live .
  3. Web site: Report: Steam's 30% Cut Is Actually the Industry Standard . Tom . Marks . January 13, 2020 . August 15, 2020 . . August 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210818080735/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/07/report-steams-30-cut-is-actually-the-industry-standard . live .
  4. Web site: "30% store tax is a high cost," says Sweeney as Fortnite skips Google Play . James . Batchelor . July 31, 2018 . August 15, 2020 . . August 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210820145257/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-07-31-30-percent-store-tax-is-a-high-cost-says-sweeney-as-fortnite-skips-google-play . live .
  5. Web site: Frank . Allegra . Epic Games is launching its own store, and taking a smaller cut than Steam . . December 4, 2018 . en-US . December 7, 2018 . January 20, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190120080823/https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/4/18125498/epic-games-store-details-revenue-split-launch-date . live .
  6. Web site: Fortnite for Android will ditch Google Play Store for Epic's website . Nick . Statt . August 3, 2018 . August 3, 2018 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180803150818/https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/3/17645982/epic-games-fortnite-android-version-bypass-google-play-store . August 3, 2018 . live . mdy-all .
  7. Web site: Fortnite decision to bypass the Google Play store sparks security concerns for teen gamers . Matthew . Field . August 8, 2018 . August 8, 2018 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180808122953/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/08/08/fortnite-decision-bypass-google-play-store-sparks-security-concerns/ . August 8, 2018 . live . mdy-all .
  8. Web site: Epic gives in to Google and releases Fortnite on the Play Store . Nick . Statt . April 21, 2020 . April 21, 2020 . . April 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200421200936/https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/21/21229943/epic-games-fortnite-google-play-store-available-third-party-software . live .
  9. Web site: Fortnite is coming to Android this summer . Nick . Statt . May 18, 2018 . May 18, 2018 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180519032326/https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/18/17368348/fortnite-android-mobile-release-date-new-features-voice-chat . May 19, 2018.
  10. Web site: Why Apple's App Store is under fire . Kif . Leswing . June 18, 2020 . August 14, 2020 . . August 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210811205050/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/18/apple-app-store-faces-complaints-from-basecamp-others-eu-probe.html . live .
  11. Web site: Fortnite maker: 'Apple has locked down and crippled' the App Store . Kif . Leswing . July 24, 2020 . August 14, 2020 . . August 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210817025017/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/24/epic-games-ceo-tim-sweeney-apple-crippled-app-store-with-30percent-cut.html . live .
  12. Web site: Yin-Poole . Wesley . August 7, 2020 . Apple blocks Project xCloud on iOS . August 15, 2020 . . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831151221/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-08-07-apple-blocks-project-xcloud-on-ios . live .
  13. Web site: Epic vs. Apple trial starts today—here's what to expect . Kyle . Orland . May 3, 2021 . May 3, 2021 . . August 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210815235750/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/05/epic-vs-apple-trial-starts-today-heres-what-to-expect/ . live .
  14. The One Legal Question That Will Probably Decide the Epic-Apple Lawsuit . Gilad . Edelman . May 4, 2021 . May 4, 2021 . . September 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210901045505/https://www.wired.com/story/epic-apple-lawsuit-one-legal-question/ . live .
  15. Web site: The man behind Fortnite is making the riskiest bet of his career. The payoff could be huge . Shannon . Liao . February 10, 2021 . February 12, 2021 . . August 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210828050947/https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/10/tech/tim-sweeney-epic-games-risk-takers/index.html . live .
  16. Web site: Epic Games wins injunction favoring alternative payments in antitrust lawsuit against Apple . Dean . Takahashi . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021 . . September 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210910204143/https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/10/epic-games-wins-injunction-favoring-alternative-payments-in-antitrust-lawsuit-against-apple/ . live .
  17. Web site: Fortnite launches new payment system to cut Apple, Google out . Kate . Cox . August 13, 2020 . August 13, 2020 . . January 21, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121194548/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/08/epic-gives-fortnite-players-discounts-for-skirting-apple-google-fees/ . live .
  18. Web site: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store . Nick . Statt . August 13, 2020 . August 13, 2020 . . August 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200813191440/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21366438/apple-fortnite-ios-app-store-violations-epic-payments . live .
  19. Web site: Fortnite for Android has also been kicked off the Google Play Store . Dieter . Bohn . August 13, 2020 . August 13, 2020 . . August 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200813234029/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21368079/fortnite-epic-android-banned-google-play-app-store-rule-violation . live .
  20. Web site: Apple and Epic Head to Court Over Their Slices of the App Pie . Jack . Nicas . Kellen . Browning . Erin . Griffith . August 13, 2020 . August 13, 2020 . . August 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200813200127/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/technology/apple-fortnite-ban.html . live .
  21. Web site: Fortnite Creator Sues Apple and Google After Ban From App Stores . Jack . Nicas . Erin . Griffith . May 2, 2021 . December 23, 2021 . The New York Times . December 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211223071453/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/02/technology/apple-epic-lawsuit-app-fees.html . live .
  22. Web site: Did Fortnite just kill the App Store as we know it? . Shannon . Liao . August 15, 2020 . August 16, 2020 . . May 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210526141825/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/15/tech/fortnite-apple-google-lawsuit/index.html . live .
  23. News: Week Ahead in Antitrust: Monday, Nov. 8 . Scarcella . Mike . Reuters . November 8, 2021 . December 24, 2021 . December 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211224070237/https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/week-ahead-antitrust-monday-nov-8-2021-11-08/ . live .
  24. Web site: Epic Games is suing Apple . Nick . Statt . August 14, 2020 . August 14, 2020 . . August 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200813212759/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21367963/epic-fortnite-legal-complaint-apple-ios-app-store-removal-injunctive-relief . live .
  25. Web site: Google forced OnePlus to decimate a Fortnite launcher deal, claims Epic Games . Jay . Peters . August 13, 2020 . August 13, 2020 . . August 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210813005648/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21368395/fortnite-epic-games-oneplus-deal-google-play-store-lawsuit-lg . live .
  26. Web site: Epic is suing Google over Fortnite's removal from the Google Play Store . Russell . Brandom . August 13, 2020 . August 13, 2020 . . August 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200814020545/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21368363/epic-google-fortnite-lawsuit-antitrust-app-play-store-apple-removal . live .
  27. Web site: Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says Apple fight is about 'basic freedoms of all consumers and developers' . Nick . Statt . August 14, 2020 . August 14, 2020 . . August 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200815071609/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/14/21369622/epic-ceo-tim-sweeney-apple-fortnite-lawsuit-ban-basic-freedoms-developers . live .
  28. Web site: Apple terminating Epic developer accounts, tools access . Rebekah . Valentine . August 17, 2020 . August 17, 2020 . . August 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200818171017/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-08-17-apple-terminating-epic-developer-accounts-tools-access . live .
  29. Web site: Apple threatens to cut off Epic Games from iOS, Mac dev tools . Michael . McWhertor . August 17, 2020 . August 17, 2020 . . August 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200818165217/https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/17/21372502/fortnite-apple-pulling-epic-games-ios-mac-dev-tools . live .
  30. Web site: Apple fires back in court, says Epic Games CEO asked for special treatment . Kif . Leswing . August 21, 2020 . August 21, 2020 . . April 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210419071551/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/21/apple-says-epic-games-ceo-wanted-a-side-deal-for-fortnite.html . live .
  31. Web site: Apple Says Epic Wanted Special Deal For Fortnite, Epic Says Apple Is Misleading . Chloi . Rad . August 21, 2020 . August 21, 2020 . . August 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200824022759/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/apple-says-epic-wanted-special-deal-for-fortnite-e/1100-6481268/ . live .
  32. Web site: Apple is holding the Unreal Engine hostage, Epic says in new motion . Kim . Lyons . August 23, 2020 . August 23, 2020 . . May 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210504000111/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/23/21397369/epic-apple-fortnite-lawsuit-ios-microsoft-developer-tax . live .
  33. Web site: Epic judge will protect Unreal Engine — but not Fortnite . Russell . Brandom . Sean . Hollister . Jay . Peters . August 24, 2020 . August 24, 2020 . . August 25, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200825051029/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/25/21400240/epic-apple-ruling-unreal-engine-fortnite-temporary-restraining-order . live .
  34. Web site: Apple has terminated Epic Games' App Store account . Bryant . Francis . August 28, 2020 . August 28, 2020 . . August 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825025045/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/369150/Apple_has_terminated_Epic_Games_App_Store_account.php . live .
  35. Web site: Epic Games asks a court to make Apple put "Fortnite" back in the App Store . Richard . Lewis . September 5, 2020 . September 5, 2020 . . June 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210605065316/https://www.engadget.com/fortnite-apple-epic-injunction-082610654.html . live .
  36. Web site: Apple doubles down in fight with Fortnite creator Epic Games, seeks damages for breach of contract . Todd . Haselton . September 8, 2020 . September 8, 2020 . . June 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210622143525/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/08/apple-seeks-damages-from-epic-for-breach-of-contract.html . live .
  37. Web site: Bolding . Jonathan . September 20, 2020 . Apple says Epic is 'marketing' with Fortnite lawsuit, Epic hits back . October 16, 2020 . PC Gamer . en-US . October 17, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201017212956/https://www.pcgamer.com/apple-says-epic-is-marketing-with-fortnite-lawsuit-epic-hits-back/ . live .
  38. Web site: Chalk . Andy . September 10, 2020 . Apple pauses plan to terminate Apple ID logins for Epic's games . October 17, 2020 . PC Gamer . en-US . September 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200913142404/https://www.pcgamer.com/epics-games-are-losing-apple-id-logins-this-week-so-make-sure-your-accounts-are-updated/ . live .
  39. Web site: Epic Gets Apple's Theft Claim Knocked Out of Fortnite Fight . Patricia . Hurtado . November 11, 2020 . November 11, 2020 . . February 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210218100715/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-11/epic-gets-apple-s-theft-claim-knocked-out-of-fortnite-fight . live .
  40. Web site: Apple vs. Epic hearing previews a long, hard-fought trial to come . Kyle . Orland . September 28, 2020 . September 28, 2020 . . August 14, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210814014403/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/09/apple-vs-epic-hearing-previews-a-long-hard-fought-trial-to-come/ . live .
  41. Web site: Epic and Apple decline trial by jury . James . Batchelor . September 30, 2020 . September 30, 2020 . . May 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210512204533/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-09-30-epic-and-apple-decline-trial-by-jury . live .
  42. Web site: Fortnite's Epic Games vs. Apple Trial Date Set, Won't Have A Jury . Gabe . Gurwin . October 7, 2020 . October 7, 2020 . . October 7, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201007151206/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnites-epic-games-vs-apple-trial-date-set-wont-have-a-jury/1100-6483015/ . live .
  43. Web site: Epic judge permanently restrains Apple from blocking Unreal Engine, but won't force Fortnite . Nick . Statt . Jay . Peters . October 9, 2020 . October 9, 2020 . . February 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220204103219/https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/9/21492334/epic-fortnite-apple-lawsuit-restraining-order-unreal-engine . live .
  44. Web site: Judge says Epic's Apple lawsuit could have 'serious ramifications' for Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft . Andy . Robinson . October 10, 2020 . October 10, 2020 . . July 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210707191648/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/judge-says-epics-apple-lawsuit-could-have-serious-ramifications-for-sony-nintendo-and-microsoft/ . live .
  45. Web site: Facebook Wades Into 'Fortnite' Maker's Dispute With Apple . Sarah E. . Needleman . Jeff . Horwitz . December 17, 2020 . December 17, 2020 . . March 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210328001211/https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-looks-for-allies-in-privacy-battle-with-apple-11608138311 . live .
  46. Web site: Apple subpoenas Valve as part of its legal battle with Epic: Valve fights back . Rich . Stanton . February 19, 2021 . February 19, 2021 . . August 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831130950/https://www.pcgamer.com/apple-subpoenas-valve-as-part-of-its-legal-battle-with-epic-valve-fights-back/ . live .
  47. Web site: Court Orders Valve To Hand Over Data On 436 Steam Games To Apple . Ethan . Gach . February 25, 2021 . February 25, 2021 . . May 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210526141826/https://kotaku.com/court-orders-valve-to-hand-over-data-on-436-steam-games-1846355019 . live .
  48. Web site: The Epic vs. Apple lawsuit has been confirmed for an in-person trial . Andy . Robinson . March 2, 2021 . March 2, 2021 . . July 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210707203821/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-epic-vs-apple-lawsuit-has-been-confirmed-for-an-in-person-trial/ . live .
  49. Web site: Apple's app store goes on trial in threat to 'walled garden' . Michael . Liedtke . May 3, 2021 . May 3, 2021 . . June 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210604132354/https://apnews.com/article/apple-inc-lifestyle-trials-technology-business-c8acede2ad74d0b996e1b398351d52a3 . live .
  50. Web site: Apple CEO faces tough questioning as Epic Games trial wraps up . Kyle . Orland . May 21, 2021 . May 21, 2021 . . August 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210829003029/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/05/ceo-tim-cook-faces-pointed-questioning-as-epic-games-v-apple-winds-down/ . live .
  51. News: Campbell . Mikey . Apple enlists Gibson Dunn to fight Epic Games suit, law firm previously retained in Samsung battle . March 15, 2021 . AppleInsider.com . August 19, 2020 . May 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210505205846/https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/08/19/apple-enlists-gibson-dunn-to-fight-epic-games-suit-law-firm-previously-retained-in-samsung-battle . live .
  52. Web site: Lopatto. Elizabeth. 2021-05-07. In Epic v Apple, everybody is losing at the game of defining games. 2021-05-16. The Verge. en. August 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210816174404/https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/7/22425774/epic-apple-roblox-fortnite-store-game-trial-day-5. live.
  53. Web site: Robertson. Adi. 2021-05-14. Apple said Roblox developers don't make games, and now Roblox agrees. 2021-05-16. The Verge. en. September 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210903170009/https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/14/22436014/apple-roblox-epic-fortnite-trial-what-is-game-name-change. live.
  54. Web site: Roblox rebrands as 'experience' creation platform amid Epic Games v. Apple trial. 2021-05-16. AppleInsider. May 14, 2021 . en. August 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210823200633/https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/05/14/roblox-rebrands-as-experience-creation-platform-amid-epic-games-v-apple-trial. live.
  55. Web site: Roblox changes 'game' with 'experience' to meet Apple standards. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516211428/https://www.sify.com/news/roblox-changes-game-with-experience-to-meet-apple-standards-news-education-vfqhlEbgdhbjj.html. dead. May 16, 2021. 2021-05-16. Sify. en.
  56. Web site: Roblox has nothing to do with games, say Roblox developers. 2021-05-16. TechSpot. May 15, 2021 . en-US. May 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210517215014/https://www.techspot.com/news/89691-roblox-has-nothing-do-games-roblox-developers.html. live.
  57. Web site: Nvidia sidesteps the App Store to bring GeForce Now game streaming to iOS . Chris . Kerr . November 19, 2020 . November 19, 2020 . . August 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825024921/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/374031/Nvidia_sidesteps_the_App_Store_to_bring_GeForce_Now_game_streaming_to_iOS.php . live .
  58. Web site: Stadia plans to bypass App Store with web app iOS launch . Alissa . McAloon . November 19, 2020 . November 19, 2020 . . August 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825024920/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/374067/Stadia_plans_to_bypass_App_Store_with_web_app_iOS_launch.php . live .
  59. News: Understanding legal arguments in Epic v. Apple: Tinder, itch.io and a naked banana . Shannon . Liao . May 23, 2021 . May 23, 2021 . . September 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210912132411/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/05/13/epic-games-apple-trial-peely-banana-man-tinder/ . live .
  60. Web site: Epic v. Apple keeps coming back to the gap between ignorance and inconvenience . Adi . Robertson . May 11, 2021 . May 24, 2021 . . September 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210911005230/https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/11/22431356/epic-v-apple-anti-steering-ios-fortnite-subscriptions-web-day-7 . live .
  61. Web site: Epic vs. Apple Shows the Courts Were Not Prepared for the Games Industry's Obsessive Secrecy . Rebekah . Valentine . May 4, 2021 . May 5, 2021 . . May 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520035852/https://www.ign.com/articles/epic-vs-apple-shows-the-courts-were-not-prepared-for-the-games-industrys-obsessive-secrecy . live .
  62. Web site: Epic vs Apple: What we've learned so far . James . Batchelor . May 7, 2021 . May 7, 2021 . . September 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210910205316/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-05-07-epic-vs-apple-what-weve-learned-so-far . live .
  63. Web site: What The Ruling In The Epic Games V. Apple Lawsuit Means For iPhone Users . Bobby . Allyn . September 10, 2021 . September 11, 2021 . . September 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210911232527/https://www.npr.org/2021/09/10/1036043886/apple-fortnite-epic-games-ruling-explained . live .
  64. Web site: Judge Orders Apple to Ease Restrictions on App Developers . Jack . Nicas . Kellen . Browning . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021 . . September 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210912002720/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/technology/epic-apple-app-developers.html . live .
  65. Web site: Apple can no longer force developers to use in-app purchasing, judge rules in Epic Games case . Kif . Leswing . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021 . . September 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210912001238/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/10/epic-games-v-apple-judge-reaches-decision-.html . live .
  66. Web site: A Comprehensive Breakdown Of The Epic V. Apple Ruling . Adi . Robertson . September 12, 2021 . September 12, 2021 . . September 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210912150835/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/12/22667694/epic-v-apple-trial-fortnite-judge-yvonne-gonzalez-rogers-final-ruling-injunction-breakdown . live .
  67. Web site: Apple dealt major blow in Epic Games trial . James . Clayton . Chris . Fox . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021 . . September 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210912044615/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58522588 . live .
  68. Web site: Apple must allow other forms of in-app purchases, rules judge in Epic v. Apple . Russell . Brandom . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021 . . September 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210912111617/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/10/22662320/epic-apple-ruling-injunction-judge-court-app-store . live .
  69. Web site: Epic v. Apple: Court Says Apple's 30% Sales Cut Is Unjustified . Rebekah . Valentine . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021 . . September 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210912035530/https://www.ign.com/articles/epic-v-apple-court-apple-sales-cut-unjustified . live .
  70. Web site: 'Fortnite' Creator Epic Games Scores Legal Win Against Apple Over In-App Purchases . Brian . Welk . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021 . . September 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210911230018/https://www.thewrap.com/fortnite-creator-epic-games-scores-legal-win-against-apple-over-in-app-purchases/ . live .
  71. Web site: Apple is appealing the Epic Games ruling it originally called a 'resounding victory' . Jay . Peters . October 7, 2021 . October 8, 2021 . . October 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211007202332/https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/7/22714677/apple-in-app-payment-competitor-paddle-epic-ruling . live .
  72. Web site: Judge denies Apple's request for a stay after Epic trial . Jody . MacGregor . November 9, 2021 . November 9, 2021 . . November 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211110020935/https://www.pcgamer.com/judge-denies-apples-request-for-a-stay-after-epic-trial/ . live .
  73. Web site: Epic v. Apple ruling put on hold after appeals court grants a stay . Russell . Brandom . December 8, 2021 . December 8, 2021 . . December 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211208193606/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/8/22814147/epic-apple-app-store-injunction-paused . live .
  74. Web site: Despite the end of Epic vs. Apple, Fortnite isn't coming back to iOS yet . Dustin . Bailey . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021 . . September 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210911230431/https://www.pcgamesn.com/fortnite/ios-2021 . live .
  75. Web site: Epic Games appeals ruling in lawsuit alleging Apple monopoly . Tom . Krisher . September 12, 2021 . September 12, 2021 . . May 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220510210713/https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-technology-lawsuits-san-francisco-apple-inc-52febb143da2907490e42f813f5f277f . live .
  76. Web site: Fortnite 'blacklisted' by Apple, Epic Games CEO says . Nicole . Carpenter . September 22, 2021 . September 22, 2021 . . September 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210922185341/https://www.polygon.com/22688008/fortnite-blacklisted-epic-games-apple-store-ios . live .
  77. Web site: Epic largely lost to Apple, but 35 states are now backing its fight in a higher court . Jay . Peters . January 28, 2022 . January 29, 2022 . . January 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220129012731/https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/28/22907106/epic-games-v-apple-amicus-briefs-states-eff-microsoft-appeal . live .
  78. Web site: The Epic Games-Apple antitrust battle resumes today in appeals court . Sarah . Perez . November 14, 2022 . November 17, 2022 . . November 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221118013712/https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/14/the-epic-games-apple-antitrust-battle-resumes-today-in-appeals-court/?guccounter=1 . live .
  79. Web site: Apple wins appeals court ruling against Epic Games . April 24, 2023 .
  80. Web site: Apple to ask US Supreme Court to undo App Store order in Epic Games case . Mike . Scarcella . July 3, 2023 . July 4, 2023 . .
  81. Web site: Epic Games asks US Supreme Court let App Store order take effect . Andrew . Chung . July 27, 2023 . July 28, 2023 . .
  82. News: Chung . Andrew . 2023-08-09 . US Supreme Court refuses Epic bid to let App Store order take effect in Apple case . en . Reuters . 2023-08-10.
  83. Web site: U.S. Supreme Court snubs Epic Games legal battle with Apple . Andrew . Chung . . Jan 16, 2024 . January 16, 2024.
  84. Web site: Epic's Tim Sweeney pledges more legal action as US Supreme Court rejects Apple lawsuit appeals . Matt . Wales . January 17, 2024 . January 17, 2024 . .
  85. Web site: Epic asks judge to enforce the Apple App Store injunction . Wes . David . March 13, 2024 . March 13, 2024 . .
  86. News: Apple seeks $73.4 mln in fees from Epic Games antitrust fight . Mike . Scarcella . January 17, 2024 . January 18, 2024 . .
  87. Web site: Epic intends to launch its game store — and Fortnite — on iOS . Jacob . Kastrenakes . January 25, 2024 . January 25, 2024 . .
  88. Web site: Epic's Tim Sweeney calls Apple App Store changes 'hot garbage' . Emma . Roth . January 25, 2024 . January 28, 2024 . .
  89. Web site: DMA be damned, Apple cuts off path to Epic Games Store, Fortnite on EU iPhones . March 6, 2024 .
  90. News: EU regulators seek details of escalating Apple, Epic Games spat . Foo Yun . Chee . March 7, 2024 . March 7, 2024 . .
  91. Web site: Apple reverses ban on Epic's developer account following European Commission enquiry . James . Batchelor . March 8, 2024 . March 8, 2024 . .
  92. News: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe . Jaspreet . Singh . Foo Yun . Chee . July 5, 2024 . July 6, 2024 . .
  93. Web site: The Epic Games Store Officially Launches on Mobile Devices . Taylor . Lyles . August 16, 2024 . August 16, 2024 . .
  94. Web site: Epic says it's bringing Fortnite and the Epic Games Store to iOS in the UK next year . Matt . Wales . May 24, 2024 . May 24, 2024 . .
  95. Web site: Epic Games wins support from 'Fortnite' gamers, firms on Apple standoff . Neha . Malara . Akanksha . Rana . August 14, 2020 . August 15, 2020 . . June 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210624070009/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-epic-games/epic-games-wins-support-from-fortnite-gamers-firms-on-apple-standoff-idUSKCN25A21J . live .
  96. Web site: Major news organizations join the fight against Apple's App Store fees . Steve . Dent . August 21, 2020 . August 21, 2020 . . June 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210630185317/https://www.engadget.com/news-sites-join-epic-in-fight-against-apples-high-i-os-store-fees-091530276.html . live .
  97. Web site: iPhones with Fortnite installed selling for thousands on eBay . Anthony . Cuthbertson . August 20, 2020 . September 2, 2020 . . April 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210417174202/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/iphone-fortnite-apple-download-install-ebay-a9679316.html . live .
  98. Web site: Goslin. Austen. August 14, 2020. Fortnite vs. Apple: Fortnite players react to lawsuit, App Store removal. September 2, 2020. Polygon. April 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210429143455/https://www.polygon.com/fortnite/2020/8/14/21368139/fortnite-vs-apple-players-pros-community-reaction-spotify-match-group. live.
  99. Web site: Amadeo. Ron. September 24, 2020. Epic, Spotify, and others take on Apple with "Coalition for App Fairness". September 26, 2020. Ars Technica. en-us. September 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200924195429/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/epic-spotify-and-others-take-on-apple-with-coalition-for-app-fairness/. live.
  100. Web site: Warren. Tom. October 8, 2020. Microsoft hits out at Apple with its new Windows app store policies. October 8, 2020. The Verge. en. May 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514102556/https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/8/21507682/microsoft-apple-app-store-policies-principles-list/. live.
  101. Web site: Leswing. Kif. November 18, 2020. Apple will cut App Store commissions by half to 15% for small app makers. January 10, 2021. CNBC. en. September 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210911142901/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/18/apple-will-cut-app-store-fees-by-half-to-15percent-for-small-developers.html. live.
  102. Web site: Google distances itself from Epic versus Apple legal dispute . Chris . Kerr . September 7, 2020 . September 7, 2020 . . August 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825025038/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/369647/Google_distances_itself_from_Epic_versus_Apple_legal_dispute.php . live .
  103. Web site: Epic files new complaint in its antitrust suit against Google . Adi . Robertson . July 22, 2021 . July 23, 2021 . . September 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210909011100/https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/22/22583467/epic-fortnite-google-play-store-lawsuit-amended-complaint-filed . live .
  104. Web site: Google countersues Epic for allegedly breaching Play Store contract . Campbell . Kwan . October 11, 2021 . October 12, 2021 . . October 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211012033522/https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-countersues-epic-for-allegedly-breaching-play-store-contract/ . live .
  105. Web site: Epic win: Jury decides Google has illegal monopoly in app store fight . Sean . Hollister . December 11, 2023 . December 11, 2023 . .
  106. Web site: Epic Games takes legal action against Apple and Google in UK . James . Batchelor . January 15, 2021 . January 15, 2021 . . August 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210820145301/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-15-epic-games-takes-legal-action-against-apple-and-google-in-uk . live .
  107. Web site: channelnews : Epic Games Takes Apple Legal Fight To The ACCC. February 5, 2021. March 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210313104537/https://www.channelnews.com.au/epic-games-takes-apple-legal-battle-to-the-accc/. live.
  108. Web site: Epic Games warns Australian regulatory authorities about Apple's 'anti-competitive' practices. Filipe. Espósito. February 5, 2021. May 5, 2021. February 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210218205831/https://9to5mac.com/2021/02/04/epic-games-warns-australian-regulatory-authorities-about-apples-anti%E2%80%90competitive-practices/. live.
  109. Web site: Epic Games brings Apple fight to the EU with new antitrust complaint . Jon . Porter . February 17, 2021 . February 17, 2021 . . September 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210909091746/https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/17/22286998/epic-games-apple-european-comission-antitrust-complaint-app-store-fortnite . live .
  110. News: Epic's bid to sue Apple over Fortnite in UK rejected. BBC News. February 22, 2021. February 23, 2021. August 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210828063631/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56156799. live.
  111. Web site: Australia's Apple vs Epic Games Court Case Has Been Suspended While They Battle It Out in the US. April 9, 2021. Gizmodo Australia. April 12, 2021. July 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709100829/https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/04/epic-vs-apple-australia-court-case-temporarily-suspended/. live.
  112. Web site: Epic Games v. Apple is back on in Australia as Apple loses appeal . Alissa . McAloon . July 9, 2021 . July 9, 2021 . . August 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825024717/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/384923/Epic_Games_v_Apple_is_back_on_in_Australia_as_Apple_loses_appeal.php . live .
  113. Web site: Bandcamp says it can't afford Google Play billing, Epic files injunction . Ron . Amadeo . April 29, 2022 . April 30, 2022 . . April 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220430005636/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/04/epic-games-drags-bandcamp-into-its-google-antitrust-case/ . live .
  114. Web site: Epic's lawsuit against Google won't stop Bandcamp's in-app payments . Jon . Fingas . May 20, 2022 . May 20, 2022 . . May 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220520140420/https://www.engadget.com/bandcamp-in-app-payments-agreement-epic-google-140034658.html?src=rss . live .
  115. Web site: Google struck $360-mln Activision deal to block rival app store, lawsuit says . Paresh . Dave . November 17, 2022 . November 18, 2022 . . November 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117230252/https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-agreed-pay-360-mln-activision-stop-competition-epic-games-alleges-2022-11-17/ . live .
  116. Web site: Google faces new antitrust lawsuit over Google Play Store fees . Makena . Kelly . Russell . Brandom . July 7, 2021 . August 11, 2021 . . September 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210907112942/https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/7/22567532/google-play-store-antitrust-lawsuit-state-ag-app-fees . live .
  117. Web site: Senators target Apple's App Store exclusivity in new bill . Makena . Kelly . August 11, 2021 . August 11, 2021 . . September 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210911031252/https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/11/22620454/apple-google-app-store-senate-play-bill-epic-games-fortnite . live .
  118. Web site: Everything you need to know about the bill that could blow up the app store . Adi . Robertson . February 9, 2022 . February 9, 2022 . . March 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230317201228/https://www.theverge.com/22914479/open-app-markets-act-legislation-senate-committee-markup-explained . live .
  119. News: Lerman. Rachel. Zakrzewski. Cat. Kelly. Heather. August 26, 2021. Apple loosens rules for developers in major concession amid antitrust pressure. August 27, 2021. The Washington Post. August 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210827123504/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/08/26/apple-app-store-payment-settlement/. live.
  120. Web site: South Korea passes bill limiting Apple and Google control over app store payments . Saheli Roy . Choudhury . Sam . Shead . August 31, 2021 . August 31, 2021 . . September 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210910145424/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/31/south-korea-first-country-to-curb-google-apples-in-app-billing-policies.html . live .
  121. Web site: Apple won't let Epic bring Fortnite back to South Korea's App Store . Sam . Byford . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021 . . September 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210911110421/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/10/22666146/apple-epic-korea-fortnite-developer-account-rules-response . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Epic Games v. Apple".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.