Epic Games Asks Court to Allow Fortnite Back on the App Store
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Just a week after Apple terminated Epic Games' developer account, Epic has filed for an initial injunction that could both allow Fortnite back on the App Store and restore usage of its developer account.
In the filing, Epic Games says it was ready to challenge Apple "since it was the right thing to do" and "it had been better positioned than many other companies to weather the storm." Epic describes Apple as a "monopolist" who maintains its dominant position by "explicitly prohibiting any competitive entry" to both application distribution and in-app payment processing markets.
Epic mentions that it is "likely to suffer irreparable harm" if Fortnite is not offered on the App Store and that "the total amount of harms tips strongly in Epic’s favor," citing that daily iOS active users have previously declined by over 60% because the app's initial removal from the App Store.
Fortnite introduced a direct payment option in mid-August that skirted Apple's in-app purchase system by allowing payments right to Epic Games. Apple soon after pulled the software from the App Store for disregarding App Store policies, which has result in a lawsuit from Epic and a quickly escalating legal fight between your two companies.
Epic has refused to back off from the direct purchase option put into Fortnite, and Apple won't permit the iphone app in the App Store as the direct payment option remains. Apple told Epic that it is prepared to "welcome Fortnite back onto iOS" if Epic removes the direct payment option and returned to the status quo while the legal battle plays out in court, but Epic has refused.
The preliminary injunction was filed on Friday in america District Court for the Northern District of California, and the hearing will need put on September 28.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com