- Epic Games considers Apple’s policies with its App Store to be monopolistic and anti-competitive.
- Although Apple won a legal battle in the US, the situation has now changed in Europe.
- This was with the implementation of the new Digital Markets Act, which allowed Epic to launch its own Epic Games Store on iOS.
The dispute between Apple and epic gamesthe creator of the video game Fortnite, continues with no signs of a solution.
Epic Games has been fighting Apple for years over the revenue sharing policies imposed by the App Store (we tell you a lot about this legal battle in Merca2.0).
Although Epic lost its antitrust lawsuit against Apple last year, many of its criticisms were addressed in a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and several U.S. attorneys general in March 2024.
What’s new is that now, in Europe, the situation has changed with the implementation of the new Digital Markets Act, which allowed Epic to launch its own Epic Games Store on iOS, making it possible for Fortnite to return to the platform with reduced commissions for Apple.
However, Apple rejected the Play Store twice, arguing that elements of the Epic Store, such as “Install” and “In-App Purchase” buttons, were too similar to those in its own App Store.
After Epic went public with its complaints on Friday, July 5, calling Apple’s denial “arbitrary and obstructive” and notifying European regulators of its concerns, Apple approved the Play Store, it says. Techcrunch.
However, the approval came on the condition that Epic make changes in a future update.
Epic Games CEO speaks
Speaking on behalf of the company was none other than Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, who stated that the situation “took a turn toward absurdity” and that it “has never been resolved.”
“Apple now says this approval is temporary and requires us to change the buttons in the next release, which will make our store less standard and more difficult to use,” the Epic Games CEO said. “We will fight against this, against Apple’s absurdity.”
App Store Dispute
Apple maintains that its strict App Store rules are necessary to ensure user security and privacy.
It argues that allowing exceptions to its policies could open the door to risks and threats to its users.
Additionally, Apple defends its business model by stating that the commissions it charges are fair and reflect the value and services it provides to developers through the platform.
For its part, Epic Games claims that Apple’s policies are monopolistic and anti-competitive.
Epic alleges that Apple uses its control of the App Store to impose unfair terms and limit competition, negatively impacting developers and consumers.
The company has called for developers to be allowed to use their own payment systems and offer their apps through other app stores, which Epic says would encourage competition and benefit users.
The situation in Europe, under the new Digital Markets Act, represents an opportunity for Epic to challenge Apple’s policies and foster a more competitive environment. What will happen? At the moment, it is not clear who will win the game, but what is certain is that we at Merca2.0 will keep you updated.
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