Apple takes Epic Games to court over App Store spat
It’s no secret that Fortnite is a popular video game, with over six million downloads. And there is no hiding the influence that big tech company Apple maintains.
However today, video game developer EPIC games will finally have a chance to plead their case as Apple is taken to court over alleged antitrust practices within the App store.
A reminder on #FreeFortnite:
— Fortnite News (@Guille_GAG) May 2, 2021
Apple and Epic Games will head to court tomorrow, May 3rd, to discuss if the App Store and its in-app purchase policies violate antitrust law. pic.twitter.com/tAvE47TgXY
Seeking to shed some light on whether the “monopolistic practices” of the Apple store establish an anti-competitive environment. The studio behind Fortnite is alleging that the current policies are unfair with Apple currently taking a 30% cut of every in-app purchase made within applications available in their online Store.
Epic games made use of an in-game currency known as V BUCKS, circumventing this 30% rule resulting in the removal of Fortnite from Apple’s online store.
One of the arguments that differentiate Apple from other Big game companies is whether users on iPhone and Ipad devices should have alternate payment options for nondedicated gaming hardware. – a blurry line that will no doubt be questioned thoroughly over the course of this case.
Tomorrow the Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple Inc. trial will commence at 8:30 AM PT in the courtroom of judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland.
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) May 2, 2021
There will be a live audio feed of all the proceedings.
The outcome of this case is set to shake up the App store as we know it if Epic games were to win. With over six million downloads there’s no doubt that the Fortnite IP is a valuable one that would add to Apple’s online offering at the right price.
