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Apple on Friday reversed its decision to block “Fortnite” video game developer Epic Games from launching its own online marketplace for iPhones and iPads in Europe, clearing the way.
Last Wednesday, Apple escalated its long-standing feud with Epic Games by blocking the game maker from launching its own online marketplace.
The companies have been in a legal battle since 2020, when Epic accused Apple of violating U.S. antitrust laws by charging up to 30% fees for in-app payments on iPhone operating system (iOS) devices. ing.
Apple’s decision to allow Epic to move forward with its plans follows last Thursday’s deadline in the European Union to require big tech companies to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which Apple and Google A set of rules that prohibits controlling which apps can be distributed. On a device with an iOS or Android operating system.
Apple escalates EPIC GAMES feud by blocking Fortnite app in EU
The logo of video game and software developer Epic Games appears on the smartphone screen. (Photo illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)
EU industry chief Thierry Breton said regulators had warned Apple about the company’s decision to block Epic’s potential return.
Breton told It shows good results,” he posted.
Epic ultimately lost a legal battle over U.S. antitrust violations, and the game maker’s plan to break Apple’s rules in protest gained popularity. fortnite game Access from Apple devices is prohibited. And while Friday’s decision is a victory for Epic, it still falls short of everything it wants from Apple.
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The Apple logo is displayed outside the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium before the event begins on September 7, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Still, Epic has remained silent on Apple’s recent decisions on the issue.
On March 6, Epic posted on X that Apple had terminated its developer account, adding that the company could no longer develop the Epic Games Store for iOS.
“This is a serious violation of EU digital market law,” Epic posted. “We will continue to fight to take back iOS!”
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In this photo, the logo for Fortnite, an online video game by Epic Games, is displayed on a smartphone, with an economic stock index graph in the background. (Photo illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Apple has terminated the new developer account that Epic created in Sweden. Epic created this account to bring Fortnite and other games back to iPhones in Europe by running its own game store on Apple’s devices. Apple must allow third-party stores on its devices under new European law.
Developer accounts are important because without them, software creators cannot distribute apps to iPhones and iPads. Apple previously suspended some of Epic’s developer accounts in 2020 after Epic intentionally broke Apple’s in-app payment rules, and has since suspended that rule violation and subsequent ban from the App Store. It was used as a focal point for public relations and legal campaigns against Apple.
Two days after terminating developer accounts, Apple reversed its decision and Epic changed its tune.
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“Apple has informed and promised to the European Commission that it will reinstate developer accounts,” Epic said in X. “There is,” he said.
Epic Games Store will be allowed to launch in Europe, but will remain unavailable in the US App Store.
Epic said it will move forward with plans to bring the Epic Games Store and Fortnite back to iOS on the continent.
“This sends a strong signal to developers that the European Commission will act quickly to enforce digital market laws and hold gatekeepers accountable,” Epic Games added.
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“As a result of our discussions with Epic, they have committed to following our rules, including our DMA policy,” Apple told FOX News Digital. “As a result, Epic Wednesday AB has been permitted to re-sign the developer agreement and be admitted to the Apple Developer Program.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
